Chapter 78 I Saw a Barbarian
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: I Saw a Barbarian
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Jeong Yoo-shin lifted the Fifth Prince and the knight.
"Mmph!!!"
The knight struggled, but Jeong Yoo-shin's grip was too strong.
The Fifth Prince was unresponsive, as if he had fainted.
He carried them through the kitchen and out into the courtyard.
He stopped in the courtyard and looked around.
A quiet night.
Only the moonlight illuminated the courtyard.
'Good.'
He didn't sense anyone watching.
He quickly crossed the courtyard and entered the storage room.
Thanks to Tarman's diligent cleaning, the storage room was tidy.
He placed the two on the floor.
"Your Highness, wake up."
"Mmph!!! Mmph!!!"
The knight thrashed as Jeong Yoo-shin placed his hand on the Fifth Prince's shoulder.
Jeong Yoo-shin ignored her and shook the prince's shoulder.
"U-Uh..."
The Fifth Prince, who had fainted, groggily opened his eyes. He saw Jeong Yoo-shin, flinched, and started trembling.
"Calm down. You can either swallow or spit out the chicken breast."
"Ptooey!"
The Fifth Prince spat out the chicken breast.
"..."
Jeong Yoo-shin made eye contact with the prince.
"I won't ask why you're here. Let's get straight to the point. Are you aware that your nanny has come to this city?"
"...Ish that true?"
The prince's speech was still slurred.
Jeong Yoo-shin nodded.
"Yes. And her life is in danger. Assassins are after her. Didn't you hear the news?"
"..."
The prince remained silent. Judging by his expression, he seemed unaware.
"Mmph!!! Mmph!!!"
The knight started struggling again.
Jeong Yoo-shin sighed and removed the belt from her mouth.
"Your Highness! You mustn't believe him! He poisoned your drink!"
Jeong Yoo-shin chuckled, finding it ridiculous.
"That was for me. Why did you touch my drink?"
"...Why would you drink poisoned liquor?"
"I obtained a new ability in the labyrinth. I was testing it when you two arrived."
Jeong Yoo-shin shook his head and looked at the prince.
"That doesn't seem important right now. Let me be frank. I don't know much about kingdoms or politics. I find this situation rather unexpected. But life is full of such unexpected events, so I'm trying to accept it."
Jeong Yoo-shin helped the prince, who was lying on the floor, sit up and leaned him against a pillar.
"Regardless of my circumstances, Your Highness has two choices. The first is to abandon your nanny and leave Labyrinth City."
"...What'sh the shecond?"
"Rescue your nanny and eliminate all the assassins pursuing her."
'Strictly speaking, the nanny is already in our hands.'
But since she was being targeted by assassins, her life was still in danger.
"You could be lying. Why should we believe you?"
Jeong Yoo-shin looked at the knight.
'She's been questioning everything all this time.'
"Don't believe me. But aren't you his escort knight? You didn't know his nanny came to Labyrinth City. You didn't know assassins were after her. Danger lurks all around, and you know nothing? Why are you even getting paid? Can you even eat your meals in peace? If I were the escort knight, I would have resigned from my position. You're incompetent."
"Gah!!!"
The knight trembled at Jeong Yoo-shin's scolding. She seemed to have taken a mental blow and was unable to think straight.
"...Don't be too hard on her. Cecilia is a loyal knight."
The Fifth Prince defended the knight.
So, the knight's name was Cecilia.
'Confirmed.'
"Make your decision. Will you help me rescue the nanny and eliminate the assassins? Or will you leave?"
"...Tell us more. We don't have enough information to make a decision."
"Alright."
Jeong Yoo-shin took his time explaining everything that had happened.
Thirty minutes passed.
The Fifth Prince nodded.
"...I see. Things have become quite complicated. The assassins were probably sent by my second brother. It's because my first brother stepped down from the position of crown prince, leaving the position vacant. My second brother has always been greedy, so this isn't surprising."
"Your Highness! That's—!!!"
Cecilia, the knight, exclaimed in shock.
The news of the First Prince stepping down was an open secret, but the subsequent power struggle was a royal secret.
"That doesn't seem relevant to me. I'll pretend I didn't hear it."
Jeong Yoo-shin shrugged.
"I just mentioned it. So, do you have a plan?"
The prince asked with a smile. He seemed to have regained his composure. Although his pants were still wet.
"Yes."
Jeong Yoo-shin explained his plan.
"...I intend to lure them outside Labyrinth City, kill them, and rescue the captured people."
"No! That means using His Highness as bait! What about asking for help from outside? I heard there are Lionel Kingdom merchants here."
The knight asked.
"I just told you. Some of the Lionel Kingdom merchants are in cahoots with the assassins. And who knows what else is going on? All the merchants might be working together secretly."
"..."
Cecilia, the knight, fell silent.
Jeong Yoo-shin turned his gaze to the Fifth Prince.
"Your Highness, if you don't like this plan, you can opt out."
"No. I can't stand by while my nanny is in danger. I have to punish those slave hunters and greedy merchants."
The Fifth Prince's eyes were clearer than ever. Although his pants were still wet.
"Alright. Then let's meet here tomorrow night. You'll be able to see your nanny then as well."
"Alright. But what's your name?"
"Skar."
"Arnoa Lionel. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Jeong Yoo-shin nodded.
Arnoa and Cecilia.
It was a strange connection. He liked Arnoa's straightforward personality. He seemed like a pure-hearted boy.
It was impressive that he readily believed Jeong Yoo-shin's words despite being practically kidnapped.
'Did I say something trustworthy?'
He pondered, but he couldn't find an answer.
Strangely…
Despite the lack of any concrete evidence…
Jeong Yoo-shin also felt he could trust the Fifth Prince. He exuded a similar aura to Iron Mask.
Jeong Yoo-shin stood up.
"Let's stop here for today and rest. You can use the seventh room on the right. Can you stand?"
Commendably, Arnoa stood up, albeit unsteadily.
Just as Jeong Yoo-shin turned to leave the storage room.
"Skar."
Arnoa called out.
"What is it, Your Highness?"
"...Do you have any spare pants?"
Arnoa asked while blushing.
"..."
That night, Jeong Yoo-shin lost a pair of pants.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The following night.
He gathered everyone.
Snout, Oswald, the nanny, the Fifth Prince, and the knight were all gathered in the storage room.
The Fifth Prince had returned to his original appearance.
How had he disguised himself? Jeong Yoo-shin had casually asked him while giving him the pants last night, but the prince hadn't told him.
"Your Highness!!!"
The nanny, her face pale, rushed towards Arnoa, her white hair flowing, and knelt before him.
Tears streamed down the old woman's face.
"Nanny, you've been through a lot."
Arnoa approached her without hesitation and hugged her.
"Why did you leave the royal palace secretly?!"
At the nanny's question, Arnoa made a troubled face.
"Nanny... it's a rather embarrassing story, so it's difficult to explain it here."
"Sob! I understand."
The Fifth Prince's nanny stood up and bowed deeply to Skar.
"Thank you, Barbarian."
"You're welcome."
"I have a lot to say, but this old woman will keep her mouth shut."
The nanny glared at Oswald, then turned away. She seemed to have taken a strong dislike to him.
Oswald made a wronged expression.
"I didn't even lay a finger on your party!"
"You were still involved, weren't you? You good-for-nothing."
Jeong Yoo-shin retorted.
"No. H-How can you say that?"
Oswald scratched his head.
Cecilia, the knight, gripped her sword and glared at Oswald.
"You! You have no shame! I'll..."
"Now, now. Let's stop there. I'll explain the plan. We don't have much time."
Jeong Yoo-shin clapped his hands, gathering everyone's attention.
Twenty minutes passed, and the briefing ended.
The nanny was enraged.
"...This is sacrilegious! How can you use His Highness as...!"
"Nanny, stop it."
Arnoa intervened and stopped his nanny.
"Your Highness, this is too dangerous. Shouldn't we consider another method...?"
Arnoa shook his head.
"This is something I have to do. I can't reach the kingdom with assassins on my tail. Besides, this is about rescuing those who have been unjustly captured. It's true that it's dangerous, so you don't have to participate, Nanny."
"...Your Highness."
The nanny couldn't speak. Her face was filled with worry and concern.
"..."
Oswald also had a similar expression.
"Oswald, why the long face? Cheer up."
"...Fuck. What if this plan doesn't work?"
"Plans always go awry. We'll figure it out when the time comes."
"Ha."
Oswald sighed deeply.
"Let's take it easy. We'll execute the plan in three days. Until then, get some rest. Oswald, you keep working hard. Dismissed."
Everyone left the storage room.
Jeong Yoo-shin and Snout remained.
"Snout."
Jeong Yoo-shin quietly called Snout's name.
"I apologize."
Snout bowed his head deeply.
"They haven't been in Labyrinth City for long, and they haven't even entered the labyrinth, so I jumped to conclusions based on their appearance and behavior, completely disregarding the possibility of imprints."
"You must have had your reasons. I don't know where the Fifth Prince received his education, but he seems to have adapted to commoner life quite quickly. It's not your fault. They did seem like newcomers to Labyrinth City. I think your judgment was sound, given the circumstances."
"..."
Snout raised his head and looked at Jeong Yoo-shin silently.
"How could you continue to suspect them when they have no imprints, and their behavior and appearance are completely different from what we expect? It's not like you're a self-absorbed psychopath."
Jeong Yoo-shin patted Snout's shoulder and continued.
"Don't worry about it. Everyone makes mistakes."
"...Yes!"
"Let's get some sleep."
Jeong Yoo-shin and Snout left the storage room.
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Three days later, around lunchtime.
At the entrance of the circus tent in the eastern district.
Jeong Yoo-shin stood at the edge of the entrance while blankly staring at the falling raindrops.
The humidity that had been clinging to his skin for the past few days had intensified, and finally, it had started to rain.
Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter.
As he watched the falling rain, Oswald approached and handed him a mirror.
One last check.
Jeong Yoo-shin looked at his reflection in the mirror.
His hair had been dyed green with magic, and his face was painted with white makeup.
He looked like a clown.
He looked away from the mirror and down at himself.
He was wearing the monster leather coat Snout had given him, and he had equipped two poison-coated daggers and his arming sword. He also had high-quality potions and magic scrolls.
"Ready?"
At Oswald's question, Jeong Yoo-shin silently nodded.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
A carriage pulled by five horses arrived. Two more carriages stopped behind it.
Three carriages in total.
Creak.
The carriage door opened, and a short, plump, middle-aged man poked his head out.
"Hahaha!!! Oswald, it's been a while!"
"Indeed. Kundal."
Oswald replied with a smile.
"It's a shame we have to meet under such unpleasant circumstances."
The middle-aged man called Kundal said.
"Hahaha!!! Well, that's true. To be honest, we have a lot of freeloaders in our circus troupe. Take them and put them to good use."
"Of course. I'm a merchant of some influence in the Lionel Kingdom, you know. Don't worry. Your troupe members won't starve."
Kundal, the merchant, suddenly turned serious.
"By the way... is it really true?"
"Yes. 'That person' is currently staying in Dreadville, south of Labyrinth City. Our traveling troupe saw him on their way here. It's raining, so he'll be resting somewhere in the village."
"So, someone saw 'that person'?"
"Yes. A member of the traveling troupe who returned today. He's my most trusted friend."
Oswald said, patting Jeong Yoo-shin's shoulder.
Kundal looked at Jeong Yoo-shin and smiled broadly.
"I see. May I take this gentleman with me? No ulterior motives, I just want a companion for the journey."
Oswald's expression hardened.
"...Is that really necessary? There are other people in the traveling troupe."
Kundal, the fat merchant, narrowed his eyes.
"No. This one will do. He seems relatively sane."
A crack appeared in Oswald's composure. Kundal enjoyed the sight.
"What's with that expression? Even if it was because of the Eldritch, didn't you let all the 'helpers' die? You're alive now thanks to my intervention, Oswald. Tsk. I don't have time, so I'll be going. By the way, what's your name?"
Kundal asked, looking at Jeong Yoo-shin.
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled and spoke.
"Mummummim mummummim."
Kundal's eyes widened.
"Hoo. He's mute. But his skills..."
"Hahahahaha!!! He's a complete idiot!!!"
Kundal burst into laughter.
"Oh, I apologize, Oswald. He's just so idiotic that I couldn't help myself."
Grit.
Oswald gritted his teeth.
Kundal smiled and patted Jeong Yoo-shin's stomach.
"Oswald, thank you for this clown. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Then, I'll be going. Heh."
Kundal entered the carriage. Jeong Yoo-shin glanced at Oswald and then followed Kundal inside.
Creak.
Thud.
The carriage door closed.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
The horses started walking.
Oswald watched the departing carriages, sighed deeply, and muttered.
"Hoo. Why are you suddenly pretending to be mute? You crazy bastard."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Jeong Yoo-shin looked around the inside of the carriage.
Perhaps due to a spatial expansion spell, the carriage was spacious.
Including Kundal, there were ten men sitting inside.
Their gazes were familiar. They were the same as the assassins he had seen in the labyrinth. Unfortunately, the dark elf wasn't here. She must be in another carriage.
"Sit here."
Kundal patted the seat next to him.
"Mummmim."
Jeong Yoo-shin nodded and sat down.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
The rain pattered against the carriage roof.
The carriage passed through the eastern district and easily left the city. They must have bribed the guards handsomely, as there was no inspection.
Jeong Yoo-shin closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the rain.
He was outside Labyrinth City.
He hadn't even thought about the outside world since falling into this world and struggling in Labyrinth City.
To think he would leave Labyrinth City like this.
It was a novel experience.
The pilgrimage road he had walked with Simus, the Spirit Teacher, briefly flashed through his mind, then vanished.
Would his plan work?
He didn't know.
Unless he was some brilliant strategist, it was difficult to be certain of a plan's success.
Still…
All he could do was try.
Jeong Yoo-shin closed his eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Smack!!!
Jeong Yoo-shin's eyes snapped open. His right cheek stung.
Kundal brushed his hand.
"Why are you sleeping?! You bastard!!! I'm awake too!"
"Sho shorry."
Jeong Yoo-shin muttered, lowering his head.
"Tsk, you little..."
Kundal clicked his tongue and wiped the dried saliva from his mouth.
Kundal stood up and opened the coachman's window.
"Hey! Where are we?!"
"Almost there! We're in the forest near Dreadville!"
The coachman replied from outside.
Kundal closed the window and sat back down.
"Heh heh heh!!! We're in luck. Transporting slaves and capturing the Fifth Prince all at once."
"Kundal. Watch your mouth."
The man sitting across from Jeong Yoo-shin frowned and called out Kundal's name. It was a warning not to speak carelessly in Jeong Yoo-shin's presence.
"Alright. But still, if you think about it, the 'helpers' are quite lucky, aren't they? For things to work out so smoothly. Capturing 'that person' and transporting slaves all at once. Hahahaha!!!"
"Ahem! The information is reliable, right?"
The man asked, clearing his throat. Kundal nodded confidently.
"Yes! My friend, a guard at the southern checkpoint, saw 'that person.' The description matches. Now we just have to take this mute bastard and pinpoint the exact location."
The murmur of conversation filled the carriage.
"Today must be our lucky day! We're so fortunate!"
Kundal said again.
At that moment.
Jeong Yoo-shin took a cigarette out of his pocket and put it in his mouth.
Before anyone could say anything, he took out his flint and lit the cigarette.
Click! Click!
The tip of the cigarette began to burn.
Inhale. Exhale.
He inhaled the smoke and exhaled slowly.
The man sitting across from him frowned.
The people in the carriage looked bewildered by his sudden action.
"You clown!!! What do you think you're doing?!"
Kundal shouted.
"Hee!"
Jeong Yoo-shin burst into laughter.
An unnervingly high-pitched laugh.
A chilling silence fell over them.
Jeong Yoo-shin looked down at Kundal.
"Mister, you said today was your lucky day?"
Kundal's eyes widened. The assassins' eyes widened as well.
"...Uh... Yeah?"
Kundal stammered. He seemed flustered by Jeong Yoo-shin suddenly speaking.
"In my opinion..."
Jeong Yoo-shin brushed back his green hair and continued.
"...you're very unlucky today."
"..."
Inside the moving carriage. A suffocating silence.
Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter.
The summer rain drummed against the carriage roof.
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T/N - It feels like sh*t’s about to go down. That last line by the MC was freaking badass!
Also, the Fifth Prince seems like a decent sort. I hope he survives. And then the MC will also have a royal family connection afterwards. The MC really is lucky with the people he meets.