Chapter 42
Translator - Zofu
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"Is this it..."
Si-woo muttered as he looked at the three-story mansion before him.
It was an old building, but well-maintained, giving it a charming, classic feel. Decorative touches that clearly reflected the resident's tastes were visible here and there, though it felt like little more than basic upkeep.
He had walked quite a distance after passing the private property sign, but it felt rather small for a property owned by one of only four SS-rank heroes on the continent. After all, SS-rank heroes were essentially treated as royalty.
'Han So-young, the hero, is here... I'm so nervous.'
The title of SS-rank hero weighed heavily on Si-woo as well.
In his first life, he couldn't even look an S-rank straight in the eye. So this highest rank, with not one but two S's, felt even more overwhelming.
He knocked on the door with sweaty palms.
"Excuse me."
A moment later, the door opened, and a middle-aged woman stepped out.
"Who are you?"
A woman with a scar on one cheek.
According to Princess Helena, she was the housekeeper and maid who managed the mansion. After receiving a favor from Hero Han So-young, she had followed her and served her alone with unwavering loyalty.
"I'm Han Si-woo, a hero candidate dispatched from the Hero Training Center. I was told the Empire sent word ahead of time."
"...Come in."
The housekeeper let Si-woo inside with an unwelcoming expression.
To the housekeeper, who prioritized Han So-young over the Empire or the continent, the Empire's habit of sending people regularly was unpleasant. If her master weren't so kind-hearted, she would have chased them out without a second thought.
The Glayzer Imperial Family used that as an excuse to drop Si-woo off at the entrance of the private estate and leave. Thanks to that, he walked alone through the garden to the mansion's front door.
The reason was that Princess Helena had negotiated so well that the rewards for Si-woo succeeding in his mission were substantial. They didn't think he could persuade Han So-young, but they didn't even offer help, just in case he actually succeeded.
"Then, excuse me."
Si-woo cautiously stepped inside the mansion.
The interior was similar to the exterior. Ornaments and paintings that clearly reflected someone's tastes, yet there were many empty spaces. Signs that no new decorations had been added after a certain point. In modern terms, it hadn't been "updated."
'The husband's or son's tastes.'
She'd left them as they were because her deceased family had liked them, but she didn't know what would match well, so she just left the spaces empty.
'Maybe....'
"The mistress is on the third floor. I will guide you."
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
Si-woo followed the housekeeper up the stairs to the third floor.
As he looked around conspicuously, the housekeeper seemed bothered and glanced at him furtively. And Si-woo likely said what she wanted to hear.
"These are works by Morgetz, the artist from 200 years ago."
"......!! Ah, you know him?"
The housekeeper, who had maintained an expressionless face except for a slight frown at the mention of the Empire, now had eyes wide with surprise. She had probably never seen this before—someone who knew Morgetz's works, or even his name. Partly because he was from long ago, but also because his works had never been popular, from his time to the present.
"I just know a little."
Si-woo replied calmly as he looked around the third-floor hallway. It wasn't humility—he really didn't know much. He'd just happened to learn about it because one of his party members in his first life collected works by obscure artists like Morgetz.
"...That's surprising."
A hint of anticipation appeared on the housekeeper's face, which had not known this.
Soon, both of them stopped walking.
"Mistress. The hero candidate from the Empire I told you about two days ago has arrived."
'But I'm not with the Empire....'
The timing wasn't right to correct her, so Si-woo decided to tell her later.
"...Let him in."
The voice from beyond the door sounded elegant and pure, yet at the same time, as weak as someone who hadn't eaten in days. With a housekeeper who seemed utterly devoted to the mistress's health, that couldn't be the case—but it meant she was that exhausted.
"She says to come in."
"Understood."
When he entered the room, the first thing he saw was long, dark blue hair. Even from behind, sitting by the window, beauty seemed to emanate from her figure. Her neatly arranged hair covering her back made it certain she was a beauty.
"......."
Separately, her shoulders, visible through her hair, were slumped. But that did nothing to diminish Han So-young's dignity. Instead, it evoked pity and added to her sorrowful beauty.
"Ah, hello. I'm Han Si-woo, a 98th class hero candidate."
"......Han, Si-woo?"
Unexpectedly, she reacted to Si-woo's name.
'Huh?'
"Ah... yes. That's Han Si-woo."
Han So-young, who had been facing the window with her back to him, slowly turned around. Eyes like black gemstones, bewitching in their beauty—but half-dead, giving a chilling impression. A cold, frigid aura flowed from her, freezing the air.
"Han Si-woo?"
"Y-yes, that's me."
Her asking again made Si-woo stammer unconsciously. Cold sweat ran down his back. But even that tended to dry up again from the heavy, cold force that Han So-young exuded. That was how nervous he was.
"...How old are you?"
"Twenty-four this year."
"Twenty-four.... Yes, I suppose so. No way the age would be the same too...."
Han So-young shook her head and muttered.
"......?"
Her voice was small, but he clearly heard the part about age. He wondered if she was thinking about her son who died three years ago, but that couldn't be. Han So-young's husband was from this world and had taken an Empire-style name for convenience. The son's name he had heard wasn't Si-woo either.
'Then who is she thinking of?'
It was puzzling.
"Are you here to ask me to return to active duty?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"I'm sorry, but I'll have to decline again. I have no intention of returning to active duty."
Si-woo nodded at Han So-young's sorrowful words. He couldn't understand her grief over losing two family members to illness, but he knew it was difficult. However, he also knew the importance of this matter and had no intention of backing down.
Si-woo delivered his prepared line.
"Would you please give me a chance to persuade you, Han So-young?"
He knew what the reaction would be. For a long time, she had allowed Empire officials who came to persuade her to stay in the mansion for up to a week. Of course, that was always their limit.
"Do as you please. I'm sure you've already heard, but I'll allow you to stay for up to a week."
"Thank you, Han So-young."
"No need to thank me."
"As thanks, may I fill the empty spaces in the mansion with decorations?"
At those words, Han So-young sighed and shook her head. It was an annoying thing to hear after so long. For three years, there had been many nobles who flaunted their knowledge and offered to fill the mansion's decorations, but every single one didn't even know whose artworks they were—artworks that had been her husband's hobby. Those who had been plentiful in the first year eventually got the hint and kept their mouths shut, but occasionally a few foolish nobles still appeared. The young man before her, who seemed to be from the same hometown, appeared no different.
"There's no need—"
"It's fascinating that there's someone who appreciates Morgetz's art."
"...no need... Huh? What did you just say?"
Han So-young doubted her ears. This was an artist that no noble from any Empire had known until now. So how did this man, not even from this world, know about Morgetz? Moreover, Si-woo had said he was a candidate, not even a hero.
Si-woo gave a small smile to the surprised retired hero.
"I just like books, you see. I happened to come across a book about him."
"...How long has it been since you were summoned to this place?"
"It's been just over a month now."
"......."
What were the odds of randomly coming across a book about Morgetz within a month? She didn't know much about the artist Morgetz. She only knew a little because her husband had liked him. That made her feel even stranger.
'Did he study beforehand? But how would he know....'
"What should we do?"
Si-woo pressed her for an answer.
Han So-young's lips trembled in confusion. She had no interest whatsoever in artists or Morgetz. But these artworks had been one of her husband's few hobbies. And he had always wanted to decorate this mansion with his art collection.
"...Fine. I'll allow it. But if you can't properly explain which work you're placing and why..."
The eyes of the retired former SS-rank hero flashed viciously.
"...you'd better be prepared."
"Of course."
Despite the grim warning, Si-woo smiled brightly at her permission. The face of Han So-young he saw had definitely softened compared to before. Though she had threatened him viciously, her heart was slightly lifted at the thought that one of her husband's wishes might finally be fulfilled after eight years.
Si-woo clenched his fist without realizing it.
'I got really lucky.'
Though not certain, even the name Han Si-woo itself seemed to have left a positive impression on Han So-young. And now with the Morgetz artworks on top of that. He had accepted the mission, but had felt lost; now it seemed like a path was opening up.
'For the first time, I'm grateful to that woman.'
The female party member from his first life who liked unpopular artists. She had been too talented for his party, so Si-woo had constantly listened to her talk about artists to keep her around. She knew that few heroes besides Si-woo would listen to such talk, so she restrained herself, but it was still quite bothersome.
No matter how much Morgetz was an unpopular artist from 200 years ago, completely out of fashion, there was a simple reason why all Imperial nobles knew nothing about him. He was a criminal exiled from the Empire. The Glayzer Empire and its nobles, with their immense pride as the strongest nation, would never like an artist they had exiled. Therefore, almost no records of him existed in the Empire, and his works were not treated as art.
"Then, I will take my leave."
"Yes, do that."
Perhaps because they weren't even close to being friendly yet, Han So-young readily granted his request to leave and half-turned her body. It was a relief that she wasn't looking out the window again, but she still felt a slight pang of disappointment.
"......."
Si-woo, about to turn away, stopped in his tracks. As his tension eased, his eyes finally took in Han So-young's face properly.
'Wow....'
He wondered how he hadn't noticed until now—she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her beauty made her 39 years seem irrelevant. It was hard to believe she was a married woman who would turn 40 in less than six months and had a child. Her elegant and refined appearance struck a chord in his heart. Her slightly parted crimson lips seemed to indicate her gentle nature. Yet her straight posture revealed a firmness that could emerge at any moment. Everything about her seemed beautiful. She was truly a beauty that could topple kingdoms. Even the gauntness from over three years of grief wasn't enough to obscure her beauty.
"......?"
Sensing Si-woo's gaze fixed on her, Han So-young tilted her head and asked.
"What is it? Is there something else you wanted to say?"
Flustered, Si-woo hastily bowed his head.
"Ah, w-well, I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself, you're so beautiful...."
"Huh? ...Pfft."
Han So-young let out a short laugh, as if the words were absurd. If her housekeeper had seen this, she would have been shocked. As far as the housekeeper knew, she hadn't even let out a hollow laugh in nearly three years. It had been a truly long time since she laughed.
"You're an interesting person. It's fine. You may go."
"Yes, I understand. I... I truly apologize."
As he bowed deeply and backed away, bumping his back into the door, Han So-young laughed once more. This time, it was a genuine laugh of amusement.
The room left alone after Si-woo's departure.
"It's been quite a while since I've heard an expression of sincerity, not just empty flattery meant to win me over...."
Recalling a young man who would have been six years older than her son even if he were alive, Han So-young's lips formed a small smile.
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