Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: The Watchful Stranger
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It was clearly a conscious gaze. Was it sharp senses, or just coincidence?
He stepped out from behind the tree and looked at the three people far in the distance.
The two men beside her were one thing, but why was that woman here? He had approached because of her familiar face.
This wasn't part of the plan. He ran a hand through his short-cropped hair, pondered for a moment, then moved to a different spot.
First things first. He focused on what needed to be done. The rest was trivial.
* * *
“I’m not sure if it’s okay to take this for free.”
“What’s with the sudden fuss? It’s just one pig.”
Guchi sliced the roasted pork leg cooked over charcoal and placed it on a plate. It was a sizable beast, but with the whole village digging in, it vanished in no time.
“You prepared it well, so it’s edible. I heard the smell was so bad it had to be thrown out.”
Gilliud, sitting beside him, said. He chewed on the crisped skin and replied.
“It’s tricky to catch, and even if you do, if you don’t handle it right, the stench makes it inedible. Eat up. It’s not something you get every day.”
If not now, when would he ever brag? Guchi took a swig of liquor, using the skin as a side dish.
The children rushed in, fighting over the scraps.
Inebil told them not to fight as she picked meat off the bones. Lander sat by the fire, dismantling the pig’s head.
“There’s decent meat here too.”
Lander said as he tossed the head meat and offal onto the flames. The kids recoiled in horror, while the adult men gathered around.
“This atmosphere is nice.”
Gilliud’s face was flushed, probably from the alcohol.
“Anywhere people live is the same. Give ’em meat and booze, and they’re happy.”
“You’re right. Good food, good drink, and folks you get along with—that’s paradise.”
Gilliud smiled warmly, but suddenly slammed his cup down and stood up.
Wondering what was wrong, the reason became clear right away. Riselra, who had been quietly watching the flames, curled up and began trembling.
“It’s okay, dear. I’m right here.”
The villagers had learned about the Gilliud couple’s situation. Whenever Riselra stiffened up like this, everyone kept their distance and waited patiently.
“Here.”
Lander handed over a cup filled with warm water. Guchi took it and approached Gilliud.
His eyes met Riselra’s as she shivered under a blanket. He didn’t move hastily and simply set the steaming cup in front of her.
“Have some.”
Riselra, who had been scanning her surroundings with a face full of terror, lifted the cup with both hands.
One sip, two sips. As she drank the water while still tense, she hugged Gilliud beside her.
“Daddy, where are we? I’m so scared.”
“It’s okay, Riselra. There are no bad people here.”
“What about that monster? The monster’s chasing me.”
“The monster ran away. So don’t worry.”
“Really?”
Riselra beamed at his words. But after staring at Gilliud’s face for a long while, she said something that made his expression harden this time.
“Who’s that uncle?”
“You don’t know me?”
“No. I’ve never seen you before.”
“Gilliud. You don’t know that name?”
“No. I don’t! I don’t know!”
Riselra thrashed again. Gilliud held her tightly. She gasped as if having a seizure, then looked at him again.
“Please let me go. Or kill me. If that’s too much, just erase me. Please.”
“Riselra. Please don’t do this.”
“Please. The monster’s coming. I’m going to get eaten.”
“That won’t happen! There’s no monster! As long as I’m by your side protecting you, you’ll be fine. So relax and sleep. I’ll take care of you to the end.”
She watched the sobbing Gilliud quietly, then her head lolled as if she’d fainted.
Guchi stepped forward in surprise. Fortunately, it didn’t seem serious. Riselra’s breathing was steady.
“She’s asleep.”
Gilliud groaned.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but it’s still tough.”
“No one gets used to something like this.”
He helped Gilliud carry Riselra to her room. Lander followed, holding a blanket.
“Thank you.”
Gilliud took the blanket. The sleeping Riselra looked peaceful, at least.
It was a truly horrific illness. He hadn’t realized losing one’s memories could be this despairing.
Hearing about it and seeing it firsthand carried different weights of emotion.
He pitied Gilliud as much as he felt sorry for Lander.
He could only imagine the heartache with which he’d sent his wife away.
“My wife and I have been nothing but trouble for you two.”
“We live to help. Neither Lander nor I mind, so don’t worry.”
“I have nothing to say but thanks. Meeting you two feels like the blessing of my life.”
He patted Gilliud’s shoulder and stepped outside. Lander stayed behind, as if he had more to say.
Over the past few days, Lander and Gilliud had shared quite a few conversations. He didn’t know the details, but they’d surely been a comfort to each other.
Gilliud called meeting him and Lander a blessing, but he saw it differently.
He was glad Lander had met Gilliud. Since then, Lander had become more talkative.
He’d never been truly silent before. He always said what needed saying and cracked the occasional lame joke. But that was it.
His words didn’t spark emotional exchange; they felt hollow. Like speaking to someone who might vanish any moment.
That aura had faded since they first met, but it hadn’t disappeared.
After meeting Gilliud, though, Lander’s demeanor had changed noticeably.
He still gazed into the distance with empty eyes, but he no longer seemed like he’d evaporate. He saw it as a positive shift.
“Maybe he’s done wandering off to die.”
He muttered to himself.
“What’re you doing?”
Inebil poked her head in. He startled and took a step back.
Children clung to Inebil’s hands, giggling and swinging her arms.
“Nothing. You’re popular, huh.”
“They say kids know good people.”
“Nah, they just see you as an easy mark ’cause your mental age matches.”
“That’s how it looks to you, uncle. What about the others?”
“Lander and Gilliud are in the room. Riselra’s asleep.”
“I thought today would pass without incident. Gilliud okay?”
“Lander’s probably comforting him.”
“Bonds aren’t always about time spent together, huh? Those two got close fast.”
“They had to. They both know pains we can’t imagine.”
“Seeing it up close is scary. Losing memories bit by bit. Every time Riselra wakes, everyone around her must be a stranger, right?”
“Probably. That’s why she freaks out.”
Inebil shooed the kids away to play elsewhere. Not a topic for young ears.
“But what’s the monster?”
“Monster?”
“She keeps saying it a lot. That a monster’s chasing her. Begging to be let go.”
“Probably just anxiety.”
“You think?”
Inebil tilted her head. He asked why.
“Might be my imagination, but she’s called Gilliud a monster plenty of times while looking at him.”
He frowned.
“Don’t ever say that in front of him. People have limits. Imagine being a husband who she doesn’t recognize at all, calls ‘daddy,’ then ‘monster.’”
“Don’t be too harsh. I’ve got tact. You think I’d say that to Gilliud?”
Inebil deflated right away. He stopped himself from saying more.
“Honesty’s good, but sometimes holding your tongue is better. I get you’ve got a rough mouth from mercenary life, but wrong is wrong.”
“Got it.”
Pouting like a child, Inebil suddenly lifted her head.
“But why do I gotta get chewed out by you?”
“It’s an adult’s privilege to school a fool. Why?”
“You say the right thing in the most annoying way. Fine, I won’t do it again, so stop lecturing. Makes me miss my master all of a sudden.”
Inebil shook her head and walked toward the kids.
Familiar villagers called him over, asking for outside tales. Time to share unexplored land stories over a drink.
He spotted Lander heading into the woods. Not a path—just straight into dense trees.
“Hey, Lander! Where you going?”
He called out. Lander turned and answered.
“Nothing much. Just scouting around.”
“Call if anything happens.”
“Will do.”
Lander wasn’t one to wander aimlessly, so he decided against following. The guy could handle himself anyway.
“Where was I?”
He scanned the gathered men and asked.
* * *
An owl hooted low, then flapped away.
Lander glanced up at it flying into the night sky, then lowered his gaze. A short-haired man stood by a tree.
“Business in the village?”
He asked the man. He’d noticed him three days ago.
The man just lingered around without seeming threatening, so he’d left him alone. But this morning was different. He’d come too close for comfort.
“I thought it was coincidence, but no.”
The man stepped forward.
“Nothing here’ll harm you, so just go. Ignore my existence.”
“Tried to. But this morning changed my mind. Curious why you’re watching us.”
“Thought your hunting was interesting. Satisfied?”
“Is that so.”
“Coming at someone who’s done nothing wrong? You must have a dirty past. Don’t worry, though. I couldn’t care less about you lot.”
“Then let me ask again. Why lurk around the village?”
“Do I owe you an explanation? Rude.”
“My apologies first. But I don’t trust easily, so anything that bugs me, I ask about.”
“Personality that’ll get you stabbed. No more to say—go. Let’s not make trouble.”
He sized the man up. His shabby clothes didn’t match his well-trained build. Sharp senses, systematic training.
Rough speech, but no sloppiness. Typical of someone long bound by discipline, now out in the world.
“We’ve got a sick person in the village. Wouldn’t want any discomfort.”
“No idea what you’re on about. I just have trouble socializing, that’s all.”
Tone aggressive, but posture calm. No intent to attack.
He nodded and left. After a few steps, he glanced back. The man leaned against the tree, eyes closed.
They’d leave tomorrow. The Gilliuds too. Hoping for no incidents till then, he memorized the man’s face and headed back to the village.