Chapter 280
Chapter 280
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 280
Chapter Title: Short Break #2
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Returning to my shabby inn room, I found an unfamiliar old woman waiting for me. She was tall and had a dignified presence—clearly no ordinary elder.
An aged noble from some family?
That was the first thing that came to mind.
She was draped in something like a black robe, but it was actually a shimmering silk shawl that sparkled like starlight, adorned with chunky gemstone accessories on her arms and neck.
No ordinary old woman would dress so impeccably and luxuriously. But what really caught my attention was her expression.
Unlike so many elders in this world, worn down by life's hardships and looking half-dead, this woman gazed at me with an air of arrogance and aloofness.
Despite our similar heights, she somehow looked down on me—likely from years of experience. And from what I knew, people who gave off that vibe were usually nobles.
Why would a noble be here for me?
The question crossed my mind, but it wasn't entirely out of left field.
I'd been living in this world without any ties to its nobility, but lately, through various incidents, I'd formed at least one connection.
Maybe an acquaintance of that skeleton baron? No, he wouldn't even know who I was. And that was some time ago. The most obvious candidate was Count Sardich's family.
Hadn't we agreed to keep quiet about what happened there? A barbarian massaging a noble lady's feet wouldn't do anyone any favors, so we'd mutually decided on secrecy.
Had someone leaked the story?
As I furrowed my brow with those thoughts, the old woman approached me slowly and met my eyes.
"You seem lost in thought. Child, I can practically hear the gears turning in your head."
Her gaze was straight and unflinching, like any person from this world—no hesitation at all. It felt like lasers were about to shoot from her eyes, and I instinctively took a step back.
I'd stood firm against swarms of powerful hornets earlier, yet here I was, retreating from this elderly woman.
I was startled by my own reaction. What the hell? She just seemed like an ordinary middle-aged lady. No special mana or aura.
As I puzzled over it, she frowned slightly and spoke.
"You're just like him in that way. He'd clam up whenever he schemed to sneak out and fool me. And the black hair—indeed, the children's words were true."
What the hell is she talking about?
The old woman had been spouting nonsense since I arrived. Talking to herself and answering her own questions—it was downright eerie.
"No need to play dumb. You're probably my grandson. Haven't you heard of me? I'm your grandmother."
"Huh? Grandmother?"
"Yes."
Suddenly calling me her grandson? We didn't look anything alike.
A bolt of realization struck me like lightning.
Could she have dementia?
Maybe this noble old lady with dementia had wandered around and ended up here. Back at the health center, surrounded by elderly folks, I'd seen plenty of dementia patients.
They often talked and responded to themselves.
Dementia was a terrifying incurable disease. Even worse was how the burden on caregivers grew day by day—enough to make families despair.
In a place without proper medical welfare, it must be a nightmare. She seemed like a high-class noblewoman—surely her family was searching for her?
"Grandma, are you lost? Do you know the way home?"
"Child, you'd best not treat me like a kid. But yes, I did lose my way. I've lost all sorts of things. No matter how much I search, I can't find them."
Oh, her mind's really wandering. At least she recognizes she's lost—that's a good sign.
"Do you have an address sewn into your clothes or something? Like on a necklace or in a wallet?"
Dementia patients often had addresses stitched inside clothing or carried in wallets.
"Child, I know my way home. I came out today because autumn's whispers called to me. Now that I've seen your face, I'll head back."
"Shall I escort you?"
Sending a dementia-stricken elder off alone was dangerous. She looked like she came from a wealthy household—what if she took a wrong turn and got kidnapped? Trouble would follow.
And if I safely reunited her with her family, maybe I'd get a small reward?
A Silver Tier adventurer on the cusp of promotion, kindly guiding a lost elder home—could make for a heartwarming tale. Or not.
"Escorting me? How gentlemanly. But sly. You're after points with me, aren't you? As if I couldn't see through your cunning scheme. You're just like him in that too."
Shit. Sharp old lady.
I thought she'd reject me, but instead, she elegantly extended her palm toward me.
"Then I'll play along and let you fool me once. That's always been my role."
The gesture was pure noblewoman requesting an escort, adding weight to my theory that she was a retainer from some aristocratic house.
"What are you waiting for? Lead the way home."
"Yes, ma'am."
In the end, I took the noblewoman's hand and escorted her outside like a seasoned guide.
"Which way?"
"Is there a Sanctuary of Abundance nearby?"
"What's that?"
"The temple of Ceres. My home is near there."
"Oh."
Was there a Ceres temple in downtown Sodomora? I had no interest in temples, so I wouldn't know. But from what she said, her house was by the Ceres temple.
Knowing the general location was enough, so I grabbed a nearby thug loitering around and asked if he knew about it.
"Head to the south gate. It's there."
South gate it was. About an hour's walk. Not too far.
Of course, that was from my perspective as a sturdy guy. Even if she seemed spry, an hour's trek would be tough for an elderly woman.
"Shall I hail a carriage?"
"No, walking is fine. It's been ages since I went out—I need to see the world."
"Your legs might ache later."
"I won't ask for a piggyback, so don't worry. Fallen as I am, I can still manage my own body."
For someone saying that, her memory seemed pretty spotty. Calling me her grandson earlier—that sounded severe.
Healthy-bodied dementia patients were the most dangerous. With fading memories, they wandered easily and got lost in a heartbeat.
"Then let's walk."
"Very well."
She had some real grit and stubbornness.
And so, the noblewoman and I walked the hour-plus distance from the north gate to the south, traversing the city.
I worried thugs might hassle us, scanning around warily. The noblewoman, who'd been mostly silent, finally spoke.
"It's getting tense. Expecting an attack?"
"You wouldn't know how black-haired folks like me get treated, ma'am."
"They say black is cursed. Remnants of Pluto. And they're right—black is bad. Nothing worse than Pluto. What a wicked bastard."
"Is that so."
"Your father must have black hair like you, right?"
I tensed up instantly. What if she badmouthed my dad? I replied curtly, signaling I didn't want to talk about it.
"Naturally."
"And your mother?"
My mom?
What color was Mom's hair? Some brownish shade, I think. She dyed it all the time in wild colors, so nothing fixed.
Dad was pretty conservative, but Mom was a free spirit. My little sister took after her—troublemaker.
"Dunno."
"I see. My earlier words were a mistake. You're not my grandson. You just resemble someone I know—I must've confused you."
"Obviously. Memory coming back?"
"Memory?"
"Not sure if I should say this, but... you seem to have dementia."
"Insolent!"
Crunch.
Her grip on my hand tightened fiercely. How does a grandma have such strength? I nearly screamed in shock.
I almost did yell, but my strength melted away, sparing me the indignity. A adventurer screaming from an old lady's grip? My already lousy reputation would tank.
So I just narrowed my brow as she continued.
"But you might be right. I've forgotten and lost so much. So much that I've even forgotten my place. I've burdened many. No turning back now."
I didn't know what to say to that. Long life, lots of regrets, I guess.
A young punk like me lecturing her would be ridiculous. Best to just listen. But the brief silence irked her, and she spoke up.
"Child, the walk is dull. Tell me about yourself."
"Me?"
"Yes. What do your parents do? I'm curious how they're faring."
Suddenly asking about my parents.
"It's been ages since I saw them—dunno."
"I see. Then just share what you remember. Are your parents on good terms?"
"Eh, average. Seemed normal, but I wouldn't know. Not bad, not great. Fought when they fought, got along when they got along."
"I see. Nicely ordinary. And ordinary married life means they get along."
"Huh."
That wrapped up the brief chat. We'd talk, pause, talk some more—and suddenly we were past the central avenue, nearing the south gate.
"Can you find your way from here?"
"Yes, I can manage that much. But returning home just means more loneliness. No one to greet me—just emptiness."
She lived alone? No maids? Killing time, I asked.
"Where are your children?"
"I had them."
And just like that, the stories poured out.
"I had a daughter. My precious girl, whom I sheltered so fiercely no bugs could touch her, safe from the world's hurts."
"I see."
Elderly folks bragging about kids was common, so I nodded with a stock response. Meanwhile, my eyes darted around for this damn Ceres temple. Where the hell is it?
"She dreamed of sneaking out every day, evading my watch, but she was still adorable. 'I could put her in my eye and not blink'—it was true. My beautiful daughter. But she vanished long ago."
"She ran away?"
"I don't know. I even wondered if she'd been kidnapped. Sunk into the earth? Soared to the skies? I searched endlessly for years, decades. But lately, I've heard bits of news."
If she'd heard news, at least she wasn't dead or badly hurt?
"Good to hear she's alive."
"Surprisingly, she seems to be thriving. Nailing her mother's heart, popping out kids like it's nothing. Infuriating. Shameless. That wretched girl."
The old woman repeated "infuriating" endlessly. She was pissed. Praising her daughter one minute, cursing her the next—emotions all over, just like the symptoms.
Hell, I'd be furious too if my kid ditched without a word and lived it up elsewhere.
Damn. Come to think of it, were my mom and dad pissed at me for bailing? That's unfair.
What would Dad think of my situation now?
He'd probably snap my legs for cheating on my girlfriend. Dad was super sensitive about infidelity.
I'm screwed.
Good thing he wasn't here. I'd be beaten to a pulp.
No matter how much I trained and grew stronger—even hitting Silver Tier and wielding aura—I couldn't picture beating my dad.
To me, Dad was like an ancient tree or mountain: unyielding pillar, unbreakable.
As I imagined his face, the noblewoman holding my hand halted abruptly.
"Problem?"
"My sandal strap broke."
Sandal strap?
Something flopped out from under her long, flowing dress. Sure enough, a broken sandal.
Compared to her ornate appearance, the sandals were worn: soles peeling, ancient.
"You've had them a while."
"I wandered everywhere in these. Searching for my daughter. Now that my task is done, they've served their purpose. No need to fuss. Let's keep going."
Swish.
She urged us onward. But wouldn't that mean walking barefoot?
In this world, women's feet were precious—to young ladies, married women, even old grannies.
Recalling Luna and Hippolyte pampering theirs, I scanned around.
There, at a shop near the south gate, someone was closing up.
"Wait here a sec."
"What are you up to?"
I dashed over, tossed 20 coppers for cheap sandals, and brought them back. She laughed like it'd tickled her fancy.
"Amusing. Child, gifting me shoes? No ulterior motives, right?"
"Just... barefoot seems off, y'know?"
"True. Good shoes for a long journey. I'll gratefully accept."
She tucked the cheap 20-copper sandals under her skirt hem and slipped them on.
"Perfect fit. A bit cheap-feeling, though."
"Can't be helped. Buy fancy ones yourself later."
"Yes, I should. But accepting from a young one like you feels off, even in my decline. I can still offer thanks. Anything you want?"