Chapter 1
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Ignorant Medieval Bastards
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Pitter-patter...
Raindrops tapped lightly against my body. They say summer rain comes with heat and autumn rain with cold, which must be why this April rain felt lukewarm.
I looked up at the sky, so thick with dark clouds that not a speck of sun was visible, and wondered for a moment. What the hell is all this?
“Jojang.”
Berman, who was also off duty today, greeted me with a haggard face, sweeping back his rain-soaked hair. The guy's nickname was Strawberry because of his severe freckles, but right now, he looked more like a drenched, rotten strawberry.
Tweet! Tweet!
The sound of whistles echoed from all directions. It seemed to be vigorously announcing the gravity of the situation to everyone around. To me, it sounded like, "We're fucked, everyone! The Lord is pissed!"
“What's all this chaos? Did Hans really do something like that?”
I greeted him casually, sweeping back my own drenched hair just as he had. I'd heard bits and pieces, but I'd been woken from my sleep and rushed out, so I hadn't gotten a proper explanation.
“Yeah. I just got here and heard about it myself. The witness was certain it was Hans. Besides, it's not like he's someone you could easily mistake for another person...”
I nodded at Berman's trailing words. Handsome Hans. In this remote castle, it was unlikely there was anyone else with such striking looks. If the witness wasn't lying, it had to be Hans.
Still, I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling because I just couldn't believe that the "kind and wonderful Hans" I knew would do such a thing. Berman seemed to feel the same, his brow deeply furrowed.
“Didn't he pass the academy exam too? Why on earth would a guy like that...”
“Isn't it because he's a mage? Mages are strange creatures by nature. Good evening! Jojang.”
My near-mumble was cut off by Kel, who had appeared from behind. He was holding an out-of-place umbrella decorated with flowers and smiling brightly. Just as he finished speaking, a bucket's worth of water poured down from the eaves. He simply twirled the umbrella, deflecting the water to the side.
*'He must have gotten it from Rosa.'*
A sweet scent wafted from Kel as he approached. It was an open secret that Kel frequented the home of Rosa, the courtesan. No, in a castle this small, there was no such thing as a secret.
It wasn't a particularly savory rumor, but no one called Kel out on his behavior. We weren't knights who valued honor; we were the Outer Wall Guard, just a bunch of guys in the castle who knew how to throw their weight around. As long as you did your duty properly, you were rarely reprimanded for your conduct.
“Of all the days, why on our day off? I barely got any sleep.”
“That's why the Daejang always tells you to rest up after your shift. Tsk, you should learn to tone down your womanizing.”
“Oh? Berman, it's not fair to call me out for that. I saw the Daejang himself next door to Rosa's yesterday...”
“Let's head to headquarters first.”
I cut them off and started walking, knowing they'd start bickering as usual if I let them continue.
“Still, something's strange. Hans was always so kind...”
“I'm telling you, that's just how mages are. I once saw a mage turn a waiter into a pig just because he didn't like the taste of the sauce at a restaurant.”
Kel nudged the hesitant Berman with his shoulder and launched into that same old story about the mage we'd all heard dozens of times. He'd been telling that story frequently for a while now, always wary of Hans. He claimed it was because of his experience with mages, but I suspected it was just jealousy because he stopped being called handsome after Hans arrived in the city.
Of course, I considered myself the most handsome of all, but Kel would just flash me an annoyingly cheerful smile whenever he saw me.
“...We'll find out once we hear the story.”
“Will we even get to hear it? If he's caught, he'll immediately be...”
Before Berman could finish, we arrived at the Outer Wall Guard headquarters. An orange glow from a small window in the thick wall faintly illuminated the darkness.
If he's caught...
Berman's last words, scattered by the sound of the rain, swirled in my head. It was obvious what would happen if Hans was caught.
*'If he's lucky, he'll be beheaded. If not, the crows will peck out his heart. And if it's even worse than that...'*
There wouldn't even be a trial. Hans, who had been kind to everyone, would instantly be branded a servant of the devil.
Ignorant medieval bastards... Muttering the curse under my breath, I pushed open the heavy wooden door.
The usually crowded hall was empty; everyone must have gone out. I climbed the stairs toward the Daejang's room, inhaling the musty smell of damp wood. *Creaak.* The wooden stairs let out a small scream.
“Come in.”
The moment I knocked, a sly voice called out. I took a shallow breath and pushed the door open.
*'So that old man does own a suit of armor.'*
Trembling jowls and eyes soaked with fatigue. The Daejang was tapping the joints of his arms and shoulders, as if uncomfortable in the armor he hadn't worn in ages. I was always amazed that this man, who looked like he'd never exercised a day in his life, was the guard commander.
“Aren't you a little late, Jojang Aron?”
“Ah... I'm a heavy sleeper, so I heard the news late.”
He tried to put some force into his gaze, but his eyes just twitched as if lacking nutrients. As if even that was too much effort, the Daejang took a deep breath and beckoned with his finger. As I approached, he rose from his seat and continued speaking.
“I hear you were close with Hans?”
The Daejang's sly eyes, nestled beneath his drooping eyelids, watched me.
Strictly speaking, we were quite friendly. Hans was a bright, kind, and sensible young man, a misfit in this ignorant medieval era. However, the current situation wasn't ideal for admitting that.
“...Well, we just saw each other around, that's all.”
“I'm not trying to blame you. Who doesn't know how hard our Jojang Aron works for Karzan Castle?”
The Daejang tried to pat my shoulder, but the height difference was too great for his hand to reach. I bent my knees slightly, and he patted my shoulder with a sly smile. I fought the urge to reach out and stretch his trembling jowls.
“In any case, the young lady is involved. I heard even the knights from the inner castle have been mobilized. Everyone's searching for him with fire in their eyes. There's no sign he left the outer wall, so he must be hiding in the residential area between the inner and outer walls. The knights may be impressive, but isn't that area our jurisdiction? If our guard unit finds him at a time like this... wouldn't the Lord be very pleased?”
As if just patting my shoulder had left him breathless, the Daejang let out a *whoosh* and caught his breath before looking up at me.
“Yes. I suppose so.”
“Since you and Hans exchanged a few words now and then... wouldn't you have some idea where he might be hiding? I have very high expectations for our Jojang Aron.”
The Daejang's smiling face after he finished speaking was so detestable I wanted to plant my fist in it, but my answer was already decided.
“Yes. I'll do my best.”
“Of course, of course. I have the utmost faith in our Jojang Aron.”
Satisfied, the Daejang sat back down in his chair. A cloud of dust billowed up, a testament to his weight. He lowered his gaze to his desk and gave a slight wave of his hand, and I gave a small bow and left the room.
*'If he's just going to sit there, why even wear the armor?'*
He probably put it on just in case the Lord decided to visit. A raccoon-like bastard, hogging the honey pot all to himself.
Muttering a small curse, I left the room and saw five men who had gathered at some point. It was a summons on their day off, and their eyes were filled with dissatisfaction, but no one voiced their complaints.
This was, after all, an ignorant place where a single misspoken word regarding the nobility could get your head mounted on the castle gate.
*'This fucking other world.'*
Muttering the now-habitual curse, I gestured with my hand, and the men sighed softly and began to move sluggishly. The sight reminded me of my time in the reserves.
To cause such a mess, and on our day off, on a rainy day like this of all times. The guy truly had no sense. I swore that if I found him, I'd plant my fist in his face.
I organized my thoughts as I descended the stairs. These ignorant fools were no doubt checking the entire area haphazardly. They were probably poking every haystack and blanket they came across.
*'This is going to cause trouble all over the castle.'*
My workload was bound to increase starting tomorrow, making my head throb. I pressed my fingers firmly against my temples and thought.
*'Not Districts 1 to 3. If he were there, someone would have reported him long ago. Jackson's holding down Districts 4 to 6... so it must be District 7.'*
And since everyone instinctively avoided District 7, it made sense he wouldn't have been found yet if he was hiding there. I'd also run into Hans a few times in District 7 during my old patrols.
“We're heading to District 7.”
“Jojang, I know the mage might have lost his mind, but would he really be in a place where filth is scattered all over the streets? Besides, doesn't he live in District 3?”
“Uh... the knights are out too. Couldn't we just hide somewhere and catch our breath until he's caught?”
They didn't get it. If we were caught hiding while the higher-ups were involved, it wouldn't end with a simple pay cut like usual. At times like this, you had to be seen working hard, even if you didn't get results.
When I just waved my hand without answering, the men nodded and moved forward. They might grumble, but they were good at following orders. Of course, it had taken a great deal of effort to get them that way, but the result was satisfying.
Outside, the sound of whistles mixed with shouts assaulted my ears. We pushed through the muddy ground and headed for District 7.
Torch in hand, I slowly trudged toward District 7, a place inhabited by filth and by humans who were hardly any different.
***
“You two, go that way. You two, this way. You're with me.”
“Yes, sir.”
The men who had been grumbling earlier now nodded with grim faces.
“If you overlook him and he's found in District 7 later, we're all fucked. Check carefully.”
They weren't the type to slack off, but it never hurt to be cautious. I gave them another warning before heading toward the central street with Berman.
Squelch.
I felt an unpleasant sensation under my foot. Dreading the worst, I looked down and saw a squashed brown lump.
“Ah... fuck. Why do the bastards in District 7 shit in the middle of the street?”
I'd warned them countless times during patrols not to shit on the street, but they never listened. Was it really that much to ask them to do their business where people couldn't see?
“Fu...ck, ha ha. The way you say that is always so strange, Jojang. District 7 doesn't have any latrines, you know?”
“If there are no latrines, they can go in a corner. What kind of person shits where people walk? Ptooey.”
I scraped my boot on some nearby mud, but the mushy feeling was still vivid, and my mood soured.
“Still, since you stepped in shit, Jojang, it must be a sign of good luck today.”
Berman joked with a grin. The heavy dampness from the rain, the fatigue from lack of sleep, and the sensation on my foot...
I had no idea how any of this could be considered lucky, but the people here were serious about their superstitions, so I just nodded.
“Let's split up. You check this alley.”
“Yes, Jojang.”
I sent Berman on his way and walked on, surveying my surroundings. Unlike the other districts, District 7 didn't resist the night; it embraced it completely. Not that it was their choice, of course.
The dark street, without a single light on, was so eerie it felt like a demon could leap out at any moment. To make matters worse, the moon was hidden by clouds, making it so dark that without the torch in my hand, I would have certainly tripped within five steps. I caressed the hilt of the sword at my waist like a cross and moved forward slowly.
Just then, I saw someone squatting next to a pile of wooden crates on one side of the street. The figure, wearing a tattered hood, looked quite suspicious.
“Take off the hood.”
I commanded, one hand on the hilt of my sword.
The figure looked up. His sunken eyes were full of defiance, and he looked like he was about to shout something, but then he saw the sword at my waist and shut his mouth.
He was a familiar face, but it wasn't Hans. Just some kid who'd caused trouble a few times during patrols in District 7. I was about to walk past but turned back and smacked him on the back of the head.
“Ow!! What was that for?!”
“Stop shitting on the street. If you have to go, find a secluded corner.”
“What... I'm not a dog, why would I shit on the street...”
He protested indignantly, but his weak voice was quickly swallowed by the sound of the rain.
The rain-soaked mud clung to my feet, but I pressed on diligently.
“Young Master Aron!”
The sudden, high-pitched voice cutting through the rain startled me so much I almost screamed, but I managed to hold it in. If I had screamed, I couldn't imagine what kind of rumors would be spreading by tomorrow.
I turned my head to see a stout-looking middle-aged woman looking up at me.
“Ah, Mrs. Bonika.”
“Oh my, Young Master Aron, you're working so hard. I'd love to offer you a warm cup of tea, but... that good-for-nothing son of mine took the kettle to gamble, can you believe it? Ha! Young Master Aron, can't you just arrest that rotten brat? The other day, he brought home some silver utensils from Caleb's place...”
The woman's booming voice echoed loudly through the desolate District 7.
“I've told you, I can't arrest him for something like that.”
It wasn't the first time, so I quickly shook my head.
“Oh, don't be like that. I'm so angry I feel like I'm going to drop dead in my sleep one of these days. Can't you just lock him in a cell for a month or so? Maybe that'll knock some sense into him!”
“If he spends a month in there, he won't be able to walk out on his own two feet.”
“That doesn't sound too bad either! I could smack him on the head whenever I get angry! Anyway, District 7 has been strange lately! The atmosphere is so different from when I first came here. And today, I laid out some *kkeumsagwi* herbs to dry, and they all disappeared! You can find them all over the hill behind the neighborhood! To think someone would steal them just because they're too lazy to go get them... rotten bastards!”
The word *kkeumsagwi* from the woman's mouth caught my attention. *Kkeumsagwi*. It was an herb that was easy to find around the castle and therefore cheap, but it was effective for stopping bleeding. A whole basket of it wasn't even worth five coppers, so it wasn't something worth stealing and getting into a fight over.
“Where did you leave them out to dry?”
“Over there! I put them out in a spot where no one could see them, and they still disappeared!”
The place the woman pointed to was a small alley between low, worn-down buildings. It was a space so filled with darkness that not even moonlight could penetrate it, a place where a demon might well emerge.
Pitter-patter-.
The raindrops, now heavier than before, tapped against the leather pauldron on my shoulder.
I stared at the spot, my hand habitually caressing the hilt of my sword.