Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Duke Edwin (1) - Just the Two of Us
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1.
"Welcome back, Hanson-nim! You worked hard again today."
A soldier approached me with a bow of his head. He stared at my face for a moment before asking,
"Did something bad happen today, by any chance?"
"Pardon? No. Nothing in particular. Why? Do I look sick or something?"
"Yes. You seem a bit tired to me."
I gave an awkward laugh and shook my head.
"I'm fine. Nothing happened, so no need to worry. I'll head in first, then."
"Yes. Please do!"
With the soldier seeing me off, I walked down the street. It was the same path I'd walked for days on end, but today it felt especially different.
A neatly maintained street. The sun was starting to set, but I could see a few citizens out for a stroll. Peeking between alleys, I caught glimpses of crudely built walls.
It really is different.
When I'd walked around the religious district, it had been the complete opposite.
Streets filled with corpses and stench, not a soul in sight. There were walls, but they were utterly meaningless. Just as Duke Edwin had said, it looked abandoned.
In truth, I have no idea if Edwin really is a duke.
If Anne had met him face-to-face, she might have been able to tell. Blue blood or not, the environment they'd grown up in would make their manners unmistakable.
But I wouldn't know.
If he'd claimed to be some vague baron or viscount, I might have spotted the lie, but dropping the name of a duke I'd never even heard of? No clue.
Truth be told, whether he was a duke or not didn't matter to me. Nor did I care if he truly cherished the citizens.
I'd been a little shocked seeing the state of the streets. I hadn't shown it in our conversation, but I'd been disappointed when he said the count had abandoned them.
But in the end, it doesn't harm me.
As a mercenary and porter, I'd done plenty of dirty work. It was laughable for a guy like me to preach justice now.
What mattered to me was which side offered the highest chance of victory and the most gain.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have reached the first branch point! The 'Side with Duke Edwin' choice has been added! The wheel of fate turns. Of course, the branch point from the village had popped up right on cue.
Duke Edwin said if his rebellion succeeds and he takes the city, he'll give me whatever I want.
Suddenly, our conversation in the village hall came back to me. He'd said something similar then. Victory meant anything I desired.
But they failed. Miserably.
The rewards were always tempting, but the catch was their premise. Unconditional victory, yet the odds looked too low.
If I'd accepted Karoi's offer back then and given it my all, could we really have won?
If victory had been possible then, it might be now too. But if not, death awaited at the end.
The problem was there was no way to prove it. In the end, it came down to throwing myself into the fray.
Edwin seems to have some trick up his sleeve, but he won't tell me what.
I let out a deep sigh and entered the mansion. After greeting the butler, I climbed the stairs to my room.
First things first, a bath.
I stripped off my weapons and armor, set them down, and headed to the bathroom down the hall.
"Ahh..."
Soaking in the hot water felt like my bones were melting.
So what should I do?
From experience, it was best to decide quickly on offers like this.
Duke Edwin might pull some scheme, and if word got back to Count Bardi that I'd even talked to him...
Repairing our relationship would be tough.
Even if the count trusted me, we'd never have the same level of support and faith. They might even be baiting me on purpose.
Splash―
Frustrated, I dunked my head under the water.
I'm not coming up until I decide.
Dithering like this would keep me up all night anyway. Better to go extreme.
Count Bardi or Duke Edwin.
One had a verified identity, the other uncertain. Odds favored Bardi. But rewards leaned toward Edwin.
Bubble bubble―
How long had I been thinking? My lungs were starting to burn, but still no decision.
When the thought I'm gonna drown! hit me, my body moved on instinct.
"Cough! Cough!"
My throat and nose stung, but finally, I'd decided.
It'll be fine.
*
"Has Lady Anne eaten yet?"
After my bath, I grabbed a maid near the dining hall and asked. She thought for a moment and shook her head.
"I haven't seen her go in, so probably not. She tends to eat late anyway."
Her?
No way? Last time we ate together, it was pretty early. Had she changed her schedule?
"Could you ask if she'd join me for a meal?"
Even as the question arose in my mind, I made the request. The maid's eyes took on a sly glint.
"Of course. I can definitely do that."
"I know what you're thinking, and it's absolutely not that."
"Right, right. Of course. I believe you! I'll tell Lady Anne that Hanson-nim wants to eat together!"
"No, that's not... Whatever. Just relay it properly. Oh, and. It's important, so also say I'd like to eat just the two of us, not in the dining hall."
"Got it!"
I left the sly-eyed maid behind and returned to my room.
What a headache.
Getting friendly with the mansion maids was nice, but lately they were getting too bold.
Still better than awkwardness, I guess.
I lay on the bed and opened the shop.
Current Gold: 1827G Chased by that black armored guy today, I'd used up most of it. Still, browsing was free, so I kept looking.
If anything useful pops up, I'll favorite it.
*
"Hey."
A shaking sensation slowly roused me. I opened my eyes to see the shop window, and beyond it, a beautiful woman with short black hair.
"...Anne?"
"Yeah. It's me."
I mumbled softly, and she nodded in response.
"What are you doing in my room?"
"Didn't you ask me to come? Said we should eat together? Just the two of us, even."
Her teasing tone snapped me awake. As I tried to sit up, she offered her hand.
"Thanks."
I took it and sat on the edge of the bed. Anne stood before me, arms crossed, looking down.
"Ugh, I only meant to close my eyes for a sec. Didn't expect to fall asleep like that. Sorry."
"Looks like today was rough."
"Yeah."
"Then take this."
She turned away briefly and held something out. Looking up, I saw it was a sandwich.
"The dining hall closed, so I made it myself."
"You made it?"
I raised an eyebrow, and she shot me an annoyed look.
"What? Is there a law saying knights can't cook?"
"No, just surprised."
"Don't want it? Fine."
"That's not it."
As she pulled back, I snatched it quick.
Not long made—the warmth seeped into my palm. The faint butter scent made my empty stomach growl.
"Thanks for the meal."
Unable to resist, I took a big bite.
Crunch―
First, the crispiness. Then the crunch of cabbage. Sweet strawberry jam. Followed by fluffy egg.
"Oh."
Finally, the slightly salty bacon. Every ingredient harmonized perfectly—a flawless sweet-salty balance.
"How is it?"
Anne watched my reaction without touching her own.
"Delicious? Like, insanely so? Way better than the dining hall last time."
"Bound to be. I threw in all the premium ingredients."
Relieved by my answer, she finally smiled faintly and took a bite of her toast.
"Mmm, even I have to admit—it's perfect."
"Right? Had no idea you were this good. First time?"
"No, I've made them for the young lady when she craves snacks."
"Ah, that explains it."
I nodded and took another bite. We ate in silence for a while until it was all gone.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
Anne spoke first. Something about her felt oddly intense.
My imagination?
I hesitated, even though I'd decided in the bath.
"Hoo..."
I sighed deeply and met her eyes.
"I need to be completely honest."
"Go ahead."
"...Do you know Duke Edwin?"
The moment I asked, her face twisted in a frown.
"What?"