Village Days and the Lord's Greed
Originally, it was supposed to be just one day. I only meant to catch a glimpse of her face and leave. But seeing Ludia's expression after reuniting with her family for the first time in ages... I couldn't bring myself to go. Exaggerating a bit, it was like she smiled just from breathing.
So a week passed.
"Hah! Hiyah!!"
"Yaaawn... Bro, is swinging around that rusty hunk of junk really training?"
"Of course it is! It has some real weight to it!"
I stepped outside early in the morning, drawn by the noise, and there was Keltun swinging a massive greatsword, his muscular upper body drenched in sweat.
"Huu-nim, why don't you show my brother a swordsmanship demo?"
"Grur? (Me?)"
"Oh, it would be an honor, Huu-nim!"
He was making me lift something heavy before I'd even had breakfast. But before I knew it, a greatsword was thrust into my hands with a thunk.
It was a two-handed sword handed over by the cheeky Keltun. It must have been shoved in some dusty corner for ages—the blade was dull, rusted in spots. Was this a sword... or just a lump of corroded iron?
"Give it a swing. Despite the looks, it feels pretty good in the hand."
"But where'd you even get this thing?"
"Who knows... It was so long ago. I think I just picked it up abandoned in some wasteland. Desert area, maybe."
"Desert...?"
"You don't remember? When you were little, every time a sandstorm hit, you'd go pthoo pthoo pthoo 'cause sand got in your mouth."
"Aaaah! Why bring that up...! Huu-nim's right here!"
Keltun stuck out his tongue, mimicking Ludia. She yelled and smack!—slapped the back of his head. But even though he was the one hit, Ludia's face flushed even redder.
"......"
Is this what close siblings are like? Somehow, it was nice to watch.
Whoooosh...!
Absentmindedly swinging the sword while watching them—really lightly. Air sliced at the tip, whipping up a hefty gust.
"Grur? (Huh? What's this?)"
"Ooooh..."
"Wow... Huu-nim, how'd you do that??"
The two turned toward the unfamiliar wind.
"(I don't know either! I just swung and wind came out!)"
"Incredible, Huu-nim! Swinging something this heavy one-handed like that...!"
Keltun's eyes sparkled. Seeing that look in a guy's eyes made me avert mine uncomfortably.
"Can you do it one more time?"
"Grurr! (Why not!)"
Whoooosh—!
This time harder, toward an empty spot. A fierce gust roared around us, light at the start but heavy at the end.
Their gasps of admiration burst out.
"Whoa...! This is amazing. How does a dull blade like this produce such power...!"
"See, bro? I told you Huu-nim's skills are the real deal!"
"......"
But this sword... I lifted it for a closer look. Plain, worn, crude—no decorations. Rusted scrap with chipped edges. Fine as a blunt club swung by weight alone, but...
"Grur. (It's light.)"
Strangely... familiar. Like something I'd used forever. A sword I'd never seen before, yet gripping the hilt felt natural—effortless.
"Whoa... Maybe it has a different master! Shall I give it to you, Huu-nim?!"
Keltun looked a bit excited, eyes wide, not hesitating to offer it.
...Seeing that, yeah, he and Ludia really were siblings.
"Ugh, bro! If you're giving something, make it good. How can you offer scrap like this?"
"Oh... right?"
"Grur grur... (No no, it's fine. Here then...)"
But it wasn't mine. I politely handed it back with both hands.
"Ludia, you look happy."
"Huh? Me?"
Ludia, helping prepare breakfast in the kitchen, heard the odd comment.
"It's all over your face."
"Aw, Mom, what..."
She let out a small chuckle at her mother's words. But thinking about it, it wasn't wrong.
"Maybe 'cause it's been so long since I came home?"
"That'd fade after a day."
"Why? I've had so many tough things lately."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Hehe... Huu-nim's helped a lot."
He was a monster who'd bitten her, but thanks to him, she'd racked up achievements and been saved multiple times. So sometime ago, to her, Huu had shifted from terrifying beast to... somewhat scary person.
"...Oh right, Mom."
"Yes?"
"I quit being a saintess candidate."
Reality was reality. As she pulled out plates, Ludia said it flatly. Even surpassing Amelia's feats, her identity exposed made it an impossible dream. The silver lining? She'd never craved sainthood much.
"Yeah. I knew."
"...Huh? How??"
Ludia flinched at her mother's even calmer tone.
"Your dad went to the village below yesterday. Heard two saintess candidates went missing."
"Gasp...!"
Ludia covered her mouth with both hands. How far had the rumors spread? Had Amelia spread word? But why say two candidates missing?? Her head spun with the unfamiliar info.
"Hehehe... Don't worry. Dad didn't say a word about you."
"Oh..."
"Just in case. Our girl shows up out of nowhere with no word when she'd return—had to be something up."
"...."
"See? Your dad's got depths. Right?"
"Mom..."
Ludia's throat tightened for a moment. But Mom just smiled faintly, chopping veggies.
"Don't worry about us. We were planning to move before year's end anyway. Your bro scouted some unclaimed land."
"No, I'll handle the money. Still got time..."
"No. Our girl's suffered enough. Thanks to you, we're better prepared this time."
Squish. She paused, poking Ludia's lips with a finger, then grinned.
"Thanks so much."
"....."
Ludia couldn't hide her bitterness gazing at her. Felt like she was dragging others down. And knowing Mom's words were best just made it sadder.
"Oh. But Ludia."
"...?"
"That Huu guy."
"Yeah."
"Doesn't he kinda resemble your dad?"
"....????"
Mom chuckled shortly at her daughter's face. The brief gloom lifted into bewilderment.
"Mom, he doesn't look anything like him."
"Hmm? Can't speak, but... his actions seem steadfast, thoughtful."
"Where do you see that?"
"Hm... Following you everywhere? Feels protective. Reminded me of your dad back then."
"...Sigh...."
Mom... that's not it. And give me some paper first... If you unwrap those bandages, you'll faint for sure? I only got used to it recently too...
Ludia had so much to say to her laughing mother, but settled for a deep sigh.
"Speaking of, Ludia, didn't you say as a kid you liked dad-types?"
"??!!"
Crash! Mom doesn't know everything, she laughed it off while carrying wooden bowls—then her hand slipped at the sudden remark. Bowls clattered and spilled everywhere.
"Oh dear, you okay?"
"Haugh...! Why say useless stuff!"
Ludia's cheeks burned. Mom's smile deepened seeing it.
"...Hehehe... Then why's your face red?"
"'Cause it's so absurd..."
Ugh... Mom, what are you even saying?
Ludia understood perfectly. Huu-nim's a zombie. A scary monster. And I like him?? Haugh... It's not like that...
The rising heat made her head feel cooked.
"Here, sit and cool off."
"No really... We're not like that, Mom."
"Yeah yeah, sure."
Ludia's mom brushed it off lightly, humming as she cleaned up.
"Sigh...."
Felt like all her energy to help was drained. Is teasing your daughter this fun? she grumbled softly, plopping at the table and burying her head.
"......"
Impossible. Mom doesn't know the truth, right?? Me and Huu-nim? No way. And no one else ever thought that.
...Though lately, we'd gotten closer. Definitely felt different from the start.
"Nooo... Ridiculous..."
Is this the brand's effect? she muttered for a while, then...
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
"...?"
A rough knock echoed.
The lord of Besnil Territory in the southwest continent was a greedy man. Once a commoner running a small shop in his youth, now an old noble who'd bought his title to become lord.
"Hooo... Is that true?"
"Yes, my lord!"
"Kekekeke... That Ludia chit, back at her house?"
His greed knew no end. The lord fiddled with his wrinkled nose, grinning unpleasantly at his servant's words.
"Certain! One of the villagers told us."
"She definitely quit the saintess candidate gig?"
"Likely, my lord. The church announced new recruitment, didn't they?"
His subordinate leaned in to whisper. The lord's lips curled smugly.
"Kekekeke... To think I'd see Ludia again before I croak."
Ludia. Long black hair, beautiful features. A silhouette to captivate any man. He closed his eyes, recalling her from years ago. Some time had passed since then... Like ripe fruit, he wiped drool from his lips.
Who'd have thought taking in those wretches lest she thrive would pay off like this.
"When's the settlement's land tax due?"
"Next spring."
"Tell 'em: Canal upgrades cost a fortune, so double the tax. Or cough up something else."
"Uh... They don't even use the new canal?"
"......"
He eyed the dimwit subordinate. The man nodded and unleashed a tirade of curses instead.
"You idiot! Gotta spell everything out for the lord?!"
"....??"
"My lord, I'll train this fool and handle it smoothly."
"...Kekeke... That's why learning matters."
Satisfied with the bootlicking, he patted the subordinate's back laughing.
"Oh. And take soldiers when you go."
"Soldiers?"
"Yeah. That burly musclehead from before. He might flip out again."
He grimaced, waving it off distastefully.
"...Ahh...! Understood!"
But the shrewd subordinate got it, flashing a sly grin.
And that night, torches lit the way to the settlement.