This Bastard Dares Send Me to Tsushima?
This bastard dares send me to Tsushima?
"Suuu.... Suuu...."
Our daughter, who was two years old this year and would turn three soon, lay sleeping peacefully on the bedding. She looked so adorable, her eyes gently closed with the double eyelids she inherited from Eori.
Squeak, squeak. The sound of someone mopping the floor came from behind me.
Sitting beside my daughter, I glanced over my shoulder at Geum-ok. She was on all fours, scrubbing the floor.
"Hey, Geum-ok. I'll handle the floor. You go rest."
"How can you say that right after I've finished? Whew!"
She let out a sigh as if to say she'd just wrapped up, then straightened up. Kneeling, she inspected the freshly cleaned floor by looking down at the mop.
"Huh? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Feeling my gaze, she turned her face toward me.
Geum-ok, who would turn sixteen next year, already exuded the charm of a young woman. Her skin, healthily tanned from country life, gleamed with a natural luster. Her thick eyelashes and clear eyes drew attention, while her cute nose and soft pink lips added a subtle cuteness.
"Is there something you need me to do?"
"Uh, no. Nothing."
I fumbled my words while staring at Geum-ok, who seemed to grow prettier every time I saw her, then turned away. From behind me came a giggling laugh as I looked back down at our daughter.
"Hee-hee, is that so?"
They say girls that age laugh at the rustle of falling leaves, but there seemed to be a different meaning in her giggle.
"Call me if you need anything. I'll be going now."
Geum-ok stood, mop in hand, and headed for the door. As she opened it, Eori and Kim So-yeon were coming into the inner courtyard.
"So-yeon, how do you shoot a bow so well?"
"That's what I want to ask you, sister. You're practically a divine archer."
"Hee-hee. Oh, this is embarrassing."
The first time I'd seen Kim So-yeon, she'd gripped a knife, but now she smiled shyly even while holding a bow.
"Oh! Inner room lady! Sister! You're back?"
It wasn't just Eori treating Kim So-yeon like a sister. Geum-ok greeted them warmly and closed the door.
I couldn't see what the three were doing behind the closed door, but their conversation gave me a pretty good idea of their expressions.
"Inner room lady! The baby girl's napping, and I've just mopped the floor!"
"Really? Then I'll clean the side room."
"No, sister! It's where I stay, so I should do it! Lady, go inside and check on the baby!"
How the hell did this happen? How did they get so close? How?
The first week had been like a cold war. Eori and Geum-ok had treated Kim So-yeon like she was invisible, only serving her meals to keep her from starving. That was their sole interaction.
But things shifted once a thin gold hairpin appeared in Eori's hair. They started with greetings when they saw Kim So-yeon, then a bit of chit-chat, and now they were even heading off alone to the archery range near the village.
Geum-ok was no different. A silver ring slipped onto her finger, and soon they were sharing dried persimmons or jujubes on walks, and now they called each other sisters without reservation.
She didn't become Cheong-wol's successor just for her looks, that much was clear.
"Oh, right! I brought some chestnuts. Want me to roast them?"
"Shall we?"
"I'll ask the lady!"
Eori agreed to Kim So-yeon's suggestion, and Geum-ok sprang into action.
"Lady."
The door opened again, and Geum-ok peeked in.
"Lady, would you like some roasted chestnuts?"
"Uh, yeah. Sure."
"Understood. I'll bring them right away."
Wait, wasn't I supposed to eat some too?! I stood awkwardly as the door closed.
Listening to the women's chatter heading toward the kitchen, I sat back down on the floor.
What the hell is this? Seriously?
It was certainly better than the first day when Eori had charged at her with a knife. But leaving me out while they bonded like this...
"Master. I'm back, sir."
"Huh? Eori?"
Eori opened the door and came in. Kim So-yeon and Geum-ok followed.
Their damp hands suggested they'd washed up before coming in. Geum-ok's might've been from wringing the mop.
"Hee-hee. Our little Dung-dwaeji. Slept well without Mama? Didn't miss me?"
Eori sat beside me, looking down at our daughter. She gazed at her with a face full of love, then noticed my stare and met my eyes.
"Master? What's wrong, sir?"
"Oh, nothing. Weren't you going to roast chestnuts?"
"How could we go without you, sir? No, of course not."
She turned her head pointedly toward Kim So-yeon and Geum-ok, as if to say see? The two were at the brazier in the room, carefully scoring chestnut shells with a knife.
Kim So-yeon placed a scored chestnut into the brazier and said,
"Master, just wait a bit. No one in the gisaeng house could match me at roasting chestnuts."
"Uh, yeah. Okay?"
"What's with that? Don't you trust me?"
"No, it's not that."
Maybe Kim So-yeon had changed the most. She put on elegant gisaeng airs in front of her colleagues or others, but now she showed her true, straightforward self even around Eori and Geum-ok.
Well, whatever. It was good they were getting along. Living in our house, Kim So-yeon no longer seemed to covet a concubine spot. She hadn't brought it up with me and focused more on bonding with Eori and Geum-ok. Right now, she looked like a cousin visiting for vacation.
"Hey!"
A man's voice came from beyond the door.
"Hey! Is Captain Gapsa here?"
"I-I'll go check."
Geum-ok, sitting next to Kim So-yeon, stood up.
"No, it's fine. I'll go. They're calling for me."
I stopped her and headed out.
Two government runners stood beyond the open gate.
"Oh! There you are!"
"Aigoo, peace be upon you, Captain Gapsa."
They greeted me joyfully upon seeing me.
"Yes, hello. What's up?"
I returned the greeting and approached the gate. One of the runner uncles explained with a smile.
"Sir, an assignment order has come from Jeonju Hakdang."
Ah. Here it comes.
For third-year Mugwa students, the second semester meant practical training at frontline bases instead of the academy. After three months as a warrant officer at the front, you'd commission as a second lieutenant for nine more months before official posting. That was standard.
Wonder where? Hopefully somewhere close.
I'd heard Jeonju Hakdang in Jeonbuk mostly sent to army bases. Naju Hakdang in Jeonnam went to the navy.
Either way, there was an army base nearby: Gobu-jin. Half a day's ride on horseback. If posted there, I could come home every weekend.
But that was wishful thinking. I'd heard academies south of Chungcheong sent to Honam or Yeongnam bases. Best case, within Jeolla; worst, the edge of Gyeongsang. Knowing my luck, it'd be Gyeongsang.
"Here's the assignment scroll, sir."
I took the scroll from the runner uncle. Unlike a royal decree, no bows or excessive courtesy.
Would be nice if royal decrees were this casual next time. Those are such a hassle.
I politely invited them in to warm up, but they firmly refused and left. I saw them off until they were out of sight, then went back inside.
I unrolled the assignment in the courtyard.
Let's see. Please be Jeolla. Just Jeolla. Please. Jeollaaa....
Infusing the scroll with desperate prayer to the universe, I read the first visible line with trembling heart.
As you near graduation from third-year Mugwa, your proficiency in military strategy, horsemanship, marksmanship, and all subjects has been recognized, warranting your commissioning as a warrant officer.
We deem you qualified to participate in frontline defense operations related to Daema-jin.
Accordingly, arrive at Busan-jin no later than March 15th, complete military training, then set sail for Daema-do to monitor wako pirates and protect Joseon merchant fleets.
Warrant Officer Kim Si-jin shall fulfill this command with utmost loyalty.
Ooh. Didn't know the chief's name was Yi Yu-sin.
Yeah, okay. Yi Yu.... Munjong.
This motherfucking bastard.
"Eori."
"Yes? Master?"
"I'm heading to Hanyang for a bit."
"Master?!"
This bastard dares send me to Tsushima?
What I'd done for him was no small thing. Sure, I'd gotten plenty in return. But this? No way!
Eori, Geum-ok, and Kim So-yeon held me back from storming off to Hanyang right then. But the fact remained: I was assigned to Daema-do.