Chapter 29
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 29
Liquor Glass and Warning
An orange sky. Modest laughter of the street flowed in riding the cool breeze. Outside the carriage window, the sound of children playing and the chat of residents were passing by.
It's already the third day since leaving the Kingdom.
We entered the last city situated on the road heading to the North.
"Let's rest here for today before going."
When we got off the carriage, the sun was already setting. From behind, Yuria stretched greatly and approached me.
"Brother. Aren't you hungry?"
"Come to think of it, I am getting hungry."
Because the stew I ate in the morning and herbs dug from the mountain were all. Just in time, the smell of food was wafting from here and there on the street.
She clapped her hands as if it worked out well looking at me and the members.
"Right? Actually, I heard there is a famous restaurant here, let's go quickly."
Saying that, she grabbed my hand and led me. Seeing her hastening her steps, it seems this kid was quite hungry too.
"Brother. Come quickly!"
Still, it was good to see her energetic appearance. When we first met, she was a kid who only said what she had to say like a wooden stone.
Now she was smiling brightly and roaming the street with excited footsteps. I chuckled watching her back.
'Well, since I promised to buy her delicious things. Let's let her eat to her heart's content.'
However, the restaurant we arrived at was already swarming with customers. Perhaps because it's a famous restaurant, let alone a seat to sit, there wasn't even room to step.
Eventually, Barg, who was watching the mood, spoke carefully.
"Milady. How about just eating somewhere else."
"I-Is that so?"
She also blinked her eyes as if she didn't know it would be this much. Nevertheless, seeing her unable to take her eyes off, I approached one employee.
"Excuse me. Is there perhaps any remaining seat or room."
"Oh my. Don't you see looking at this? Even people wanting to eat standing are lined up right now. Just looking at it, your party seems to be over thirty people, not a chance..."
I slightly showed a pouch of gold coins from my pocket.
"There is! Of course there is! Just in time, there are even two 3rd floor VIP rooms, and it's amazing enough to see the superb view of this city."
"That worked out very well."
"Now, now, please come in quickly. Just looking at you, you seem to be noblemen departing on a noble mission. Just in time, our restaurant also serves as an inn, so relieve your fatigue completely with this opportunity!"
The employee who said he was dying of busyness just a moment ago bent his waist 90 degrees and quickly guided the seat.
Certainly, the power of money is good. Well, it's all the Vice-Captain's money though.
"It's great that there is a seat. Captain."
"Mmm. Yeah."
"No, that is my money..."
Someone's voice was heard from somewhere, but I and the members naturally followed the employee.
"I will eat well."
"I-I will eat well thankfully."
From behind, the sound of Yuria and Northern warriors patting and the Vice-Captain's hollow laugh were heard.
As we were about to divide into two rooms and enter like that, Yuria snatched my wrist.
"Brother eat with us too."
However, that wasn't a suggestion. Yuria dragged me into her room without even listening to my opinion.
Seeing that appearance, the Vice-Captain muttered with a dumbfounded face.
"Why is it. I am the one paying, but why is the Captain enjoying the blessing?"
"Don't say such things and let's go in too. Now, now. We will at least pour you liquor."
"Sigh. Where would I use liquor received from guys."
Along with the Vice-Captain's lamenting sound, the members also moved to the next room. As the employee said, the scenery outside the window was definitely spectacular, and thanks to that, the time waiting for food wasn't boring.
"Here is the meal."
"Thanks."
"Hoho. If you need anything more by any chance, please tell me anytime."
As the proprietress retreated with flattery, the table I thought was quite big was filled with foods.
Certainly because it's a famous restaurant, everything looked delicious. As I was about to eat meat first, she picked it up first and held it out to me.
"Brother. Try eating this once. I think it will be delicious."
"Mmm. I will eat on my own."
Getting close is good, but still, it would be better to keep the line.
Perhaps realizing I was conscious of others, she stared intently at the Northern warriors.
"Huh? Is it your first time seeing a younger sister doing this to her older brother?"
"No, we didn't say anything though..."
"In the first place, aren't you not even real siblings?"
"Brother. Say ah."
Pretending not to see them, Yuria steadfastly continued with her chopsticks.
Eventually, only after I picked it up myself and ate, she also put it in her mouth with a regretful expression.
Finishing the meal fully like that, she rubbed her eyes as if sleepy.
"Yaaawn. I will go in first and wash up."
"Yes. You worked hard today."
"Rest well. Yuria."
"Yeah. Brother sleep well too."
She left the room first receiving the subordinates' escort. Well, she had no time to rest from the Republic to the Kingdom, so it's understandable she is tired.
I should also drink just a few more glasses and go in. As I was about to pour the liquor glass like that, Barg picked up the liquor bottle and poured my glass.
"Thank you. Captain Carmil."
"Yes? What for."
"Since you came, the Lady also smiles noticeably more often."
"How could that be thanks to me."
"Because until meeting the Captain, they were appearances I couldn't even imagine. She was always someone who didn't reveal her emotions well."
I sipped the liquor and recalled when I first met her. Well, until a while ago, it was a face where I couldn't tell what she was thinking.
Barg put down the bottle and smiled faintly.
"She changed completely from when she was in the North. In a good way."
"Mmm. Maybe that was her original personality."
War with demons. Deaths of comrades. Didn't the cold of that North freeze her emotions until now.
At my words, he also smiled pleasantly and nodded.
"That must be true. Anyway, please take care of us in the future. Captain."
"Hut. By the way, that title Captain is awkward now too. Since I am neither a Captain nor a Hero anymore, just call me comfortably."
"Haha. Shall I do that then?"
As he held out the liquor glass, I also didn't decline and clinked against that glass.
"For the eternal victory of the North."
"For victory."
Clink- Smiles were made along with a pleasant resonance.
After time passed and emptying a few more glasses, Barg stood up from his seat first.
"Phew. I guess I should get up first. Will you go too, Brother?"
"I will drink a few more glasses alone and go, so you go up first."
"Yes. See you tomorrow then."
As Barg went out with staggering steps, I sipped liquor alone in the empty room. I wondered if I should drink with the subordinates in the next room, but for some reason, this loneliness wasn't bad.
I should just drink a few more glasses like this and go up.
Knock knock.
At that moment, an unexpected knock broke the quiet silence.
"Excuse me. Because there are no seats on the 1st floor, would it be possible to share a table by any chance?"
At that sudden remark, I put down the liquor glass for a moment and closed my eyes.
The employee's flushed voice. A table-sharing proposal requested in a VIP seat. And even visiting exactly when I am alone.
It was to the point where a hollow laugh came out to call it all a coincidence.
"You may do so."
"Haha, thank you."
Slide- I silently looked at the figure coming in with the door.
Not caring about my gaze, he sat on the opposite side and made a good-natured smile.
"Fufu. This, I am sorry. It seems I interrupted your meal."
"Do not mind. I also have something curious about you."
Red hair and blue eyes. And even the Holy Sword carried on his back. I have memories of seeing this man in the original work.
"Just what business does the Hero [Yongsa] have up to here?"
Holy Year 733, the time when the novel just begins. Originally, he should have been in the Empire.
Nevertheless, he was leisurely pouring liquor in front of me now. Handing one glass to me, and smiling while bringing the other glass to his mouth.
"Why would there be any other reason. I just came to see that famous War Hero."
"Famous, you say."
I wonder which rumor he heard to be sitting in front of me. The story that the human called War Hero is practically an evil spirit? Or the story of making the Kingdom's knights half-crippled? If not that, maybe the story of laying down the title of Hero and leaving for the North.
Whatever it is, there won't be a good impression. As I glared outside the door, he clapped as if admiring.
"Haha. To think you would even notice the presence of my comrades. Indeed, it seems defeating Sir Leohar wasn't a false rumor."
"As expected, you didn't come after hearing good rumors."
Creaaak. The sound of members pulling chairs quietly was heard from the next room. At the presence of them grabbing weapons, the Hero shook his head urgently.
"Please do not misunderstand! We did not come to fight with you. Rather, we came personally because we wanted to share a conversation like this."
"I will think so."
He put down the liquor glass with a relieved expression at my words.
"Actually, after becoming a Hero, I have met various senior Heroes. Not only the Empire's Hero but also Lord Roser, the Republic's Hero. And besides the Fedra Federation or the Theocracy, I met numerous Heroes. Recently, I also met Sir Sela of Ervonia and shared a resolve."
"Is that so."
I was inwardly relieved at his words.
If it's recently, it means Ervonia is still safe. Anyway, demons will invade within this year, so I should try sending a letter once more when I arrive in the North. While I was having such thoughts, he snapped his fingers as if he suddenly remembered.
"Ah, come to think of it, I also met Sir Leohar before and had a sparring session. His Aura was really, I was surprised. Wondering why a person of this level isn't a Hero."
"The qualification of a Hero isn't simply in skill alone."
"Hahaha. Very true words! Still, hearing the news that not content with beating such a him, you overwhelmed him without a single scratch, I couldn't help but endure it."
He leaned his body forward and stared at me intently.
"When I visited last time, it was a pity the War Hero wasn't there, but to meet you like this, it is an honor indeed."
"...Then is your business resolved now?"
"Haha. No way."
His hearty laughter echoed in the room.
He soon emptied the liquor glass and filled it again. But even when the glass overflowed and liquor spread over the table, he didn't stop.
He looked at that overflowing glass and opened his lips quietly.
"Do you know? The fact that no matter what it is, if it fills up and overflows, one cannot help but frown."
"..."
"That is how Sir Carmil is right now."
Saying that, his eyes headed to me.
"I heard about the matter in the Kingdom. The act you committed to the knights was beyond excessive, how should I put it, truly crossed the line."
"You speak quite carelessly without even knowing the circumstances. Do you really think I crossed that line first?"
"I am not interested in your emotional fights. What is important is that because of that matter, the Saintess put aside busy duties and headed to the Kingdom... And now all Heroes have come to pay attention to you. Whether in a good way. Or a bad way."
He slowly tilted the glass full of liquor.
"Of course, I am the same too. Sir Carmil has warned each country to the point of being tiresome since becoming a Hero. Saying we must prepare for the resurrection of demons and the Demon King."
"Right. They are planning to resurrect the Demon King making humans as sacrifices."
"Haa. I don't know on what basis you are saying such words, but please do not create unnecessary anxiety and conflict with absurd sounds. Because that is a remark insulting the previous Heroes who fought the Demon King."
"Even if there is no basis, a justification isn't needed to sweep away demons."
"No. Not only His Majesty but also the heads of each country do not want that. Because no matter how much they are remnants, dealing with executives and their numbers will incur considerable damage and cost. So now is the time to enjoy this peace. Because no one wants to experience the nightmare of that day ever again."
"..."
"...Except perhaps you."
Tap. He knocked over the liquor glass as if warning. Clear liquor slowly flowed down along the edge of the table.
After a moment, he opened his mouth.
"I heard you are going to the North."
He stood up from his seat and looked down at me.
"As a request, please do not do useless things there."
"Right. I will not keep that in mind."
"What..."
Perhaps not expecting my answer, he frowned with a reddened face.
"Kuk, do not regret it."
And then roughly turned his body and left the room. Only then did the presences outside the door disappear together too. Tsk, from the middle it was practically killing intent though.
Soon the subordinates waiting in the next room approached me and asked worriedly.
"Captain. Will it really be okay."
"What can we do. It's not like I can beat up the Hero in this place."
"Heok. We didn't ask with that meaning though..."
The members made a shocked expression asking if I harbored such thoughts.
One thing for sure is, it wasn't an atmosphere where he would understand by persuading with words.
"It doesn't matter. Anyway, we will just do what we have to do."
Looking out the window, moonlight was rising before I knew it.
On the street, the appearance of the Hero's party leaving this place was seen. They were also glaring this way likewise.
"I must hope that side doesn't cross the line."
Leaning against the chair, I watched them leaving.