Chapter 81 Bear, Bear, Bear
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Bear, Bear, Bear
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The clearing, under a light rain.
Aldein looked around, then muttered.
"Impressive."
The damp ground was littered with corpses, yet a satisfied smile could be seen on Aldein's lips.
Jeong Yoo-shin looked at Aldein.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came here to help, seeing as you were struggling."
"As you can see, I already killed them all."
"Indeed. Weren't you supposed to go to the forest near Dreadville? I got tired of waiting there, so I came here instead only to find you performing a sword dance."
"..."
Jeong Yoo-shin leaned against the carriage steps.
Aldein looked at his subordinates and spoke.
"Clean up the bodies and tidy up the place. Make it spotless. Put the captives in another carriage and send them back to Labyrinth City."
"Yes."
Aldein's subordinates immediately started moving busily.
Aldein walked over and leaned against the carriage wall.
"Anything you want to ask?"
Jeong Yoo-shin stared blankly at the clearing.
"Is that guy Oswald your subordinate?"
"No. I just helped him out because of his circumstances."
"Without any compensation?"
"There was compensation, but I can't tell you what it was."
"Hooo."
Jeong Yoo-shin sighed deeply. He was too physically and mentally exhausted to think. How had things become so entangled?
That bastard Oswald. He had thought that Oswald seemed different when they met outside as compared to when they first met in the labyrinth.
So there was a deal involved.
That clown-like bastard.
Was his frantic act all a performance?
Labyrinth City was a tough place.
"What happened to the Fifth Prince and his nanny?"
Jeong Yoo-shin asked.
"I'm taking good care of them."
"Wouldn't it have been better to do that from the beginning?"
"I received an unofficial request from the Lionel royal family. They asked me to find the Fifth Prince, who seemed to be in Labyrinth City, and send him back."
"Couldn't you have acted sooner?"
"Why bother? Do I look like someone who would bat an eye just because some kid ran away from the royal palace?"
Jeong Yoo-shin chuckled dryly.
He was a crazy elf. He already knew Aldein was a twisted person, having only one eye, but he hadn't realized it was to this extent.
Aldein then continued.
"I was originally going to leave them alone. I helped them because the Lionel Kingdom is part of the Eastern Alliance. And because they hadn't registered as explorers yet."
The Eastern Alliance.
He had heard of it somewhere, but he couldn't quite recall from where.
"What’s the Eastern Alliance?"
"..."
He felt Aldein's sharp gaze, but Jeong Yoo-shin was unfazed.
"What? Never seen an ignorant person before?"
"Uh... You do know that this is the eastern region of the continent, right?"
"Yes."
"Various races live in the eastern part of the continent. There are a few empires and kingdoms in the western part, but as far as I know, they're all human."
"So?"
"There have been several invasions from the west. The people of the east had to join forces. That's how the Eastern Alliance was born. The Beast-person Alliance, the Dwarf Kingdom, the Elf Kingdom, and the Lionel Kingdom are all part of the Eastern Alliance. There are others too, but let's move on."
"I see. Then wouldn't it be natural to help them? Isn't Labyrinth City under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Alliance?"
"No."
"Huh? No? What do you mean?"
"It's a neutral city. The Eastern Alliance governs it, but it's more of a proxy rule. A regency, so to speak."
"A regency? It sounds like the city has a separate owner."
Aldein's face suddenly contorted.
"Let's stop there. I don't want to talk about it anymore. The point is, many people come here from other countries, regardless of whether they're royalty or nobility. This is the only labyrinth where they can obtain imprints. I'm not so free as to worry about a prince who is low in the line of succession. End of story."
Jeong Yoo-shin tilted his head.
It was a strange governing structure. He was impressed that it had lasted this long.
From what Aldein had said, it seemed like those in power treated Labyrinth City like a ticking time bomb.
'This is complicated.'
Jeong Yoo-shin shook his head.
It wasn't something he needed to worry about. He had rescued the captives. He had also saved Ahiman, with whom he had a connection. He would be satisfied with that.
Jeong Yoo-shin then stood up.
"Where’s the Fifth Prince?"
Aldein pointed towards the bushes.
Jeong Yoo-shin walked across the clearing and past the bushes.
He saw a small carriage. He approached it and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
The carriage door opened, revealing the Fifth Prince, his nanny, and the knight.
"Skar, are you alright?"
The Fifth Prince asked cautiously.
A prince speaking formally.
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled wryly.
"Yes. I heard you're leaving soon, so I came to say goodbye."
The knight frowned at Jeong Yoo-shin's casual tone.
On the other hand, the prince smiled wryly.
"I see. My thoughtless actions caused a lot of trouble for many people. I apologize."
"No. We should help each other out. Goodbye."
Just as Jeong Yoo-shin was about to close the carriage door.
"W-Wait!"
The Fifth Prince shouted.
"Is there anything else you wanted to say?"
"I'm looking for my brother."
A sudden statement. The nanny and the knight were startled.
"Your Highness!"
"That's a royal secret! How can you...?"
Jeong Yoo-shin crossed his arms.
"Your brother?"
"I have an older brother. He left the royal palace because he contracted a fatal illness. He was a kind and gentle person who led with compassion... but he suddenly disappeared without a word."
The young prince's eyes reddened.
So that was what it was. The boy had run away from the royal palace because he missed his older brother.
He was a bold and pure-hearted boy.
"What illness does he have?"
"Skar!"
The nanny's eyes narrowed.
"It's a disease that rots the flesh. It's called the Spirit God's Curse."
"He must be concealing his appearance then."
"That's right."
"And he would also smell of rotting flesh."
"Yes."
"I know someone like that. Would you like to meet him?"
The Fifth Prince's eyes wavered.
"R-Really?"
"Yes."
The Fifth Prince opened his mouth to say something, but then he closed it again.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low.
"I've thought about it a lot while wandering around Labyrinth City. Why did my brother give up everything and leave without a word? I'm still young, so I haven't really thought deeply about death before. But..."
The Fifth Prince sniffled and continued.
"I believe there must be a reason for my brother's actions. I won't meet him."
'He really loves his brother.'
It seemed like the youngest brother deeply admired the eldest.
"I understand."
"But please relay a message to him."
"Yes. What should I tell him?"
"Tell him that his younger brother will be waiting for him. That I look forward to seeing him again, healthy, at the royal palace."
"Alright."
Jeong Yoo-shin nodded.
'As expected of a king's son. A bright boy.'
He felt a bit sorry for the sniffling prince.
"Then, I'll see you later, Skar."
The Fifth Prince said goodbye, and the knight closed the carriage door.
Creak.
Thud.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
The Fifth Prince's carriage disappeared from sight as it traveled down the forest path.
Aldein approached Jeong Yoo-shin, his hands clasped behind his back.
"I thought he was a naive boy, but he's smart. He'll die soon though."
Jeong Yoo-shin frowned.
"Aldein, can't you speak a little more kindly?"
"What's wrong with stating the truth? He's the youngest, at the bottom of the line of succession, yet the Second Prince is watching him like a hawk. Talented people die young. Let's go."
They boarded the carriage Aldein had prepared.
Snout, Maya, and Ahiman rode in a different carriage.
The remaining subordinates stayed behind to clean up the clearing.
Rumble. Rumble.
The carriage traveled down the road in the summer rain.
Jeong Yoo-shin crossed his arms and admired the scenery outside.
After passing through the forest, a vast grassland came into view.
Watching the green reeds swaying in the rain made him feel tired.
Jeong Yoo-shin spoke.
"Aldein."
"What?"
"What do you do? You're not just the head of the monster dismantling shop, are you?"
"Curious? Take this sword. Then I'll tell you."
Jeong Yoo-shin looked at the red single-edged sword.
What did it mean?
He had a feeling it wasn't just about taking the sword.
"Can't you just tell me?"
"Everything has a price. To gain something, you have to give something up. You know that, don't you? It's a cruel but undeniable law of the world."
"Forget it. I'm going to sleep."
Jeong Yoo-shin closed his eyes.
Darkness immediately enveloped him.
Aldein stroked the red single-edged sword as he observed Jeong Yoo-shin's sleeping face.
'The more I see him, the more interesting he becomes.'
He had watched Skar's entire fight from afar.
He had turned psychological warfare, which required experience to master, into a frenzy.
He had created his own opportunities, killed the Second Prince's assassins, and even killed Kuelin Calheid, a wandering mercenary from the underworld.
Although she had been forced into retirement due to her lowered pain threshold from the Hyper Sensitivity imprint, the dark elf was still an intermediate-ranked explorer.
Of course, she was on the lower end of the spectrum compared to other prominent intermediate-ranked explorers.
But the point was that he had killed an intermediate-ranked explorer by any means necessary.
Aldein smiled confidently.
Skar didn't seem to realize it, but...
The madness he had suppressed was slowly awakening within him through these continuous battles.
"Sister, this is truly wonderful."
Aldein muttered while stroking his single-edged sword.
As the sun set, the carriage traveled across the grassland.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Three days had passed after their return to Labyrinth City.
The Fifth Prince and his nanny had left for the Lionel Kingdom.
The captives had returned to Labyrinth City.
Everyone involved with Jeong Yoo-shin had either gone back to their own business or were quietly resting.
On the morning of the fourth day.
Jeong Yoo-shin yawned and picked at his food.
He had no appetite. He was still exhausted from his recent escapades.
Creak.
The inn door opened, and Ahiman and Maya entered.
Ahiman had returned to his human form though Maya seemed strangely dejected.
"Skar."
Ahiman greeted as he approached him and sat down.
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled.
"Ahiman, you're back to your human form."
"Although I like being a lizard, the human form is more comfortable. I came here today to express my gratitude, albeit belatedly."
"No. I didn't do anything. Your disciple did everything. By the way, I'm glad you seem to be alright."
At Jeong Yoo-shin's reply, a faint smile appeared on Ahiman's face.
"I want to repay you. Is there anything you want?"
Jeong Yoo-shin thought for a moment, then spoke.
"I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Where do intermediate-ranked explorers get information about the labyrinth?"
"Does that mean you're about to be promoted?"
"Yes. Something like that."
He had asked Oswald to find him some quick and easy requests. He had even asked Oswald to complete them in his name if possible, but it was a long shot, and he didn't expect much from it.
He hadn't visited the eastern district after that day. He was tired, and he figured Oswald would be busy dealing with the rescued captives.
Ahiman cleared his throat and spoke.
"There are three ways. The first is to take classes at the Labyrinth Academy."
"That's a bit..."
"The second is to receive guidance from senior explorers. The third is to visit the library."
"There's a library in Labyrinth City?"
"It's in the central district."
A library.
A treasure trove of information, as long as he could read.
"The second and third options seem to be the best. The Labyrinth Academy would take too long, wouldn't it?"
"Indeed. It takes a long time. But you seem to be quite literate."
"...I'm trying my best to learn."
Jeong Yoo-shin replied while scratching his head.
He hadn't been able to go to the orphanage academy for a while now due to various incidents. He needed to study consistently, but he hadn't had the time with all the things happening lately.
"Is that so? It feels strange to just leave after chatting like this. This is a small token of my gratitude. Take it."
Ahiman handed him a small stone from his pocket.
"What’s this?"
"It's an intermediate-grade magic stone. It's not much for saving my life, but it's all I have. I apologize."
"Not at all. I'll put it to good use. Thank you."
Ahiman and Maya stood up.
"Then I'll see you later."
"Thank you, Skar."
"Take care, both of you."
Jeong Yoo-shin saw Ahiman and Maya out of the inn, then returned to his seat.
Just as Jeong Yoo-shin was about to eat.
Creak.
The inn door opened, and someone entered.
Jeong Yoo-shin's eyes widened as he looked up.
A teddy bear wearing a white chef's hat waddled towards him.
"I-I heard there's a barbarian here who doesn't rape... bear!"
Jeong Yoo-shin stared blankly at the teddy bear.
All the plans swirling in his mind vanished like a blank slate.
My goodness.
Could such a small bear beast-person actually exist? This world was crazy.
"H-Here."
Jeong Yoo-shin's voice trembled.
The teddy bear flinched when it saw Jeong Yoo-shin. But it bravely took a step forward and said.
"I-I have a request... bear!"
Jeong Yoo-shin stared at the teddy bear for a long time, then replied in a gentle voice.
"Tell me about your request. Come here. Quickly."
At Jeong Yoo-shin's gesture, the teddy bear froze.
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T/N - I like the Fifth Prince and I do hope we see him again alive and well. As for the brother, I’m fairly sure it’s Iron Mask and it seems like the MC has the same suspicion. Still insane that he keeps meeting all these important characters, but that’s protagonist luck for you.
Also, I am confused with the sword’s gender (as weird as that sounds) as it keeps changing. I’ll keep it at she/her from now on until I have definitive proof that it’s not the case.
Lastly, the title reminds me of that Kuma Kuma Kuma novel. The one where a girl gets transported to another world with an OP bear onesie, but she’s only OP when she wears it. Otherwise, she’s just an ordinary girl. It even has a self-cleaning bear print panties.