Chapter 98
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Stomachache
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98
Stomachache
Surprisingly, what I learned in the modern world was of little help in the medieval one.
In fact, there were many things I would have been better off not knowing.
For instance, useless notions like not eating stew made with moldy jerky, no matter how cheap, not throwing crap on the streets, and not killing people, were nothing but a hassle.
Thus, in most cases, my modern knowledge only made my life more difficult.
But now, advanced modern technology was on full display.
“Wooooah-!”
I remained unfazed by the awe of the primitive medieval folk.
I simply kept my focus, concentrating on the sensations at my fingertips.
‘It’s been a while, but I’m even better at it now. Is it thanks to the dice game?’
It was nothing special.
I was originally left-handed, but after getting smacked on the head with a spoon at the dinner table for being unlucky, I converted to being a righty and naturally became ambidextrous.
It started as a side gig when a guy who got the same punishment writing as me offered to pay if I did his share too, and it did pretty well.
I had to close up shop when the educational environment improved, but it was the fruit of my youthful entrepreneurship.
Of course, back then, my writing speed was just average, but now, it was incomparable.
The dice game and swordsmanship had made using both hands more precise and natural, but the fact that the script here looked like crawling worms made it even faster.
The pen moved down the page without rest.
It felt like having a printer attached to each hand.
Two pages were turned before a minute had passed.
“Ooooh…”
The gasps of the primitive medieval men erupted around me.
One monk, perhaps trying to imitate me, took paper on both sides and tried to copy, but the paper tore from excessive force.
He hastily pulled out a new sheet under the glares of those around him and began to write.
Spurred on by my pace, the others wrote diligently, but they were nothing before this pinnacle of modern technology.
The pages turned, one after another.
The Dud cautiously offered me a piece of cake.
His hands were pale, but getting it from his bare hands was a bit off-putting. Still, I was low on sugar, so I accepted it gracefully.
‘…Sweet and salty.’
I didn't dwell on why the cake was salty.
The sound of someone’s prayer.
The distinct scratching of quill pens.
The sound of the Dud munching on cake.
Everyone was diligently playing their part.
‘You could stop eating, though.’
Still, the Dud seemed to be trying his best to write, the veins on the hand holding the quill were bulging.
However, he was clumsy with writing, his speed was as slow as a snail, and even his script was terrible.
So I had him sit next to me and do menial tasks like holding the waterskin to my lips or turning the pages.
*Nod-.*
I didn't bother to point out the faint sense of duty that appeared on his face.
‘But the handwriting will be different. Is it okay to send a transcription like this?’
Unlike the other primitive medieval men, my handwriting was exceptionally skilled and elegant, which gave me pause.
But they must have brains too, so they surely would have thought that far.
The Dud, squatting beside me, occasionally fanned me, held the waterskin to my lips, and fed me torn pieces of cake, diligently performing his duties.
And so, we were all absorbed for a long while—.
“Done.”
As I, who was in charge of the last page, put down my quill, the punishment writing was over.
Waaaah-!!
The men shot up from their seats, expressing their joy. They looked like prisoners who had just been released.
‘Wait, is that right? Seeing how grimy they are, they must have been here for a while…’
Perhaps they had been under some form of confinement.
Parsifal went around collecting the papers and arranging them in order.
“But is it okay for the handwriting to be like this?”
“Ah, it’s fine. It’s common to transcribe the scriptures together, so as long as the handwriting isn’t particularly strange…”
Parsifal’s voice trailed off as he looked at a certain page.
I checked, and it was a page I had written.
“It’s cursive.”
“Uhm… this is… uhm…”
“It’s cursive.”
“Cursive.”
When the Dud beside me mumbled along in a tiny voice, Parsifal shook his head and gathered the papers into one pile.
*Thump, thump.*
I turned my head to see the Dud looking at me, his usual expressionless face slightly softened.
Without a word, he blinked at me, very slowly and widely.
If I went to service with the Dud, all of the Abbot’s attention would be on him. The Dud was an indispensable service-ward.
I mimicked him and blinked widely.
The Dud then nodded his head emphatically.
I nodded back.
“First, I’ll go send this off. I’m not sure if anyone will be there at this hour, but if they refuse the work of the Order…”
Parsifal muttered in a cool voice and hurriedly got up.
‘Ah, I’m probably late.’
I needed to drill Adela for her match with Ben, but this unexpected event had held me up.
I got up from my seat as well.
The Dud, who followed right after, offered me the last piece of cake, which he seemed to have saved.
He seemed to be giving me something precious in his own way, but it didn't look appetizing at all, so I shook my head to refuse.
I nodded to the blinking Dud and left the hall.
‘I’ll have to do the service next time.’
Seeing the moon past its zenith, it seemed more time had passed than I thought.
I hurried towards the inner castle.
Passing through the inner castle gate at this hour could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings, different from my actual transparent intentions.
So I went around the castle wall instead of the gate.
A place where the wall was lower than elsewhere, making it easier to climb.
I stretched for a moment, grabbed a protruding stone, and pulled myself up.
Thanks to my increased strength, I ascended with ease.
Just as I got on top of the wall and was catching my breath, something came up from the other side.
Its speed was comparable to mine.
As I reached for the hilt of my sword, the thing that had finished climbing the wall stood next to me.
‘The dumbass?’
I had wondered how the young lady could roam the outer castle so freely; it seemed she just shamelessly climbed the walls.
‘The Inner Wall Guard can’t stop this.’
“Oh! Fancy meeting you here!”
The young lady, who had been steadying herself for a moment, spotted me and smiled brightly. Her arms were full, and on closer inspection, I saw she was carrying a load of bread wrapped in a luxurious cloth.
‘A noble lady climbing the castle walls to distribute bread to the residents of the outer castle…’
It was a story so unrealistic it wouldn’t even appear in a fairy tale, but since it was the dumbass noble lady, it felt plausible.
Still, for a meeting atop a castle wall, her greeting was remarkably casual. For a second, I thought we had met on a walking path.
“Where are you going?”
“There was a lot of bread left over! Can you believe people don’t know how precious it is and leave it all behind? Some didn’t even take a single bite!”
The young lady exclaimed in frustration, pointing to the bread in her arms.
The nobles here loved to play with their food, to the point of having ornamental dishes.
“Yeah, well.”
“Oh! Would you like one? It’s quite delicious!”
The young lady rummaged around and handed me a piece of bread that looked hard just by looking at it. I took it and tore off a large bite.
‘It’s good. This is what nobles eat, huh.’
It was much softer than the bread sold outside.
It was also quite sweet, as if sugar had been added.
“You… you’re eating it so well?! Should I give you another?”
I shook my head to refuse. The Dud had fed me so much cake earlier that I felt a bit bloated.
“But where are you going, Aron? This is the inner castle!”
The young lady asked with a bright smile.
“Just for a walk.”
After a moment’s thought, I gave her an answer suited to her level.
Her eyes widened for a moment before curving into crescents.
“…A walk? Ahaha! That’s right! The inner castle is a great place for a walk! But be careful! There are a lot of nobles, so running into the wrong one could cause trouble! Nobles are tricky.”
I nodded at her words.
The young lady, after smacking her lips for a moment, jumped down to the other side. She expertly stepped on a stone jutting out from the wall and descended.
‘Her agility alone is better than most knights.’
Of course, it could be because she climbs this wall every day, but her movements were extraordinary.
Landing lightly on the ground, she waved her hand and quickly disappeared between the buildings.
‘She’s a genuinely good kid.’
What noble lady would climb a wall just to give bread to the residents?
Of course, if the Lord found out, he’d probably burst a blood vessel…
‘Not my problem.’
I already knew the way to Adela’s room by heart. However, jumping down like the young lady would surely make a loud noise, so I descended with caution.
*Ugh…*
I knocked out a guard on the way, putting him to a brief sleep, and climbed the wall.
As I hoisted myself through an open window, I saw Adela lying in bed. She must have heard the noise because she flinched noticeably.
‘Why bother pretending to be asleep?’
A knight would surely wake up at such a small sound even in their sleep, but Adela kept up the act.
The room smelled as if she had doused it in perfume, an intoxicatingly strong fragrance with a very faint sour note underneath.
‘Ben and Adela…’
I sat on the windowsill for a moment, pondering a strategy.
Against the old Ben, Adela might have managed a difficult victory, but compared to the recent Ben, she was lacking.
‘Should I just beat Ben up a few times?’
The thought crossed my mind, but Ben, who wasn't quite human, was a bit pitiful, so I was hesitant to lay a hand on him.
Plus, openly rigging a match that Count Behardt was watching was too risky.
‘The pill bug strategy has already been used, so it won’t work…’
I briefly considered the ‘confession attack’ that Berman had recently used, but Ben didn’t seem like the type to soften up even if Adela confessed to him.
‘A revolutionary strategy is…’
Just then, Adela flinched violently and slowly sat up. Like other knights, she was wearing armor.
Adela got up very naturally, moved slightly, knelt, and raised both hands in the air.
And the gaze Adela directed at me was blazing. The desire burning in her eyes was so intense it was almost burdensome.
“Do you want to win?”
“…Yes. If I can win, I will do anything.”
Adela’s firm reply.
Though it was a tournament with a friendly nature, Adela’s desire for victory was exceptional.
‘With this level of determination…’
I thought of a suitable method and nodded.
“Get up and grab your sword.”
“Hup.”
Adela replied curtly, took her stance, and faced me.
‘My sword was slightly longer…’
I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly, roughly estimating the length.
‘When he steps with his left foot, he’s half a beat faster, and with his right foot…’
Recalling Ben’s habits, I readjusted my grip on the sword.
Soon, a tense Adela let out a low breath—.
I immediately thrust my sword.
It was slower than Ben’s thrust, but since my sword was a bit longer, it would feel about the same to her.
Adela tried to react in that split second, angling her sword, but she was a tad too slow.
“Agh…”
Adela let out a faint groan and grimaced, but she didn’t fall.
It seemed the endurance training she’d undergone these past few days was showing some results.
“If you get hit, you should strike back immediately. What are you doing?”
“Hup? Hup!”
“Too slow.”
“A-agh!!”
Adela clutched her head and rolled on the floor.
“Get up. One, two.”
“Agh! Hup! Hup!”
I clicked my tongue and thrust my sword again.
“A-agh!!”
Adela rolled on the floor again.
Clutching her stomach and looking up at me, Adela’s eyes held none of the spirit from before.
“Don’t worry. You can do it if you try.”
“Hup. Hup… Hup.”
“I said you can do it.”
Adela mumbled something and grabbed my leg, but I didn’t wait for her and thrust my sword.
Struck in the shoulder, Adela scrambled to her feet and took her stance.
She seemed to be slowly getting it.
“You will win tomorrow.”
That consent is not required for education.
At my murmur, a fire lit up in Adela’s eyes, but.
“Because I’m going to make you.”
It was extinguished by my next words.
***
‘An alliance… Viscount Bonita, what is he thinking.’
Pulpuchu chewed his lip, glancing sideways at Viscount Bonita, who was sitting alone in the distance.
Since proposing the alliance, Viscount Bonita hadn’t left his assigned room.
The proposal, thrown out as if he knew what Pulpuchu was thinking, had only complicated matters for him.
At any other time, it wouldn’t matter, but Pulpuchu was considering breaking off Vivian’s engagement.
Since it was an engagement, not a marriage, breaking it off could be simple with mutual agreement, but the pretext was the problem.
‘Baron Pener isn’t stupid enough to start a domain war at a time like this, but it’s unsettling.’
Especially now, the smirking eldest son of the Pener family was getting on his nerves.
A moment later, Count Behardt entered, and the other nobles rose from their seats.
The atmosphere was as if the lord had changed, but Pulpuchu didn't mind. Being crushed by someone of higher rank—this was a principle that applied not only to nobles but to everyone.
It was just that nobles got crushed a bit more gracefully.
Although it was a duel tournament suddenly opened by Count Behardt, it had grown larger than expected.
When nobles gathered, they needed some form of entertainment, and Count Behardt had proposed a fittingly fun game.
It was only natural that the response was explosive.
The eldest sons rose from their seats and bowed to Count Behardt. The Count acknowledged them with a wave of his hand.
Just then, Rebillian, the eldest son of the Pener family, rose from his seat and approached Count Behardt.
Seeing the smile on Rebillian’s face, Pulpuchu sensed the situation was about to turn sour.
“I am Rebillian, eldest son of the Pener family.”
“Yes, I hear your knight is one of the top contenders in this tournament?”
Perhaps because Rebillian’s knight, Ben, had made it to the finals, Behardt’s response was favorable.
“Yes, it is an honor.”
“Haha—it’s just a casual tournament, no need for such talk of honor.”
Rebillian’s tongue, contrary to his appearance, was as smooth as a nobleman’s. As their conversation dragged on, Pulpuchu felt a sense of crisis.
It soon took a distinct shape.
“Of all the castles I have seen, Plitun Castle was the most beautiful. I have always wanted to hold my wedding at Plitun Castle, so if my family’s knight happens to win the tournament, may I ask for that favor?”
Contrary to Rebillian’s upturned lips, Pulpuchu’s face crumpled.
It was a shameless ploy to attach Count Behardt’s name to the marriage.
However, with the condition of winning, the justification wasn’t bad, and since the engagement hadn’t been broken yet, there was no issue.
Furthermore, his tone made it sound as if he was truly moved by the sight of Plitun Castle.
Rebillian appeared as a valiant young man who, for the sake of his upcoming marriage, was bravely making a request to the Count.
Not one to stand by idly, Pulpuchu quickly rose from his seat.
“Rebillian. What insolence is this towards the Count? And a wedding at a time like this…”
“Haha, it’s quite alright, Baron Pulpuchu! It is well known that our Plitun Castle is beautiful. So many people ask, not just this boy, that it’s become quite a predicament.”
At Behardt’s words, this time it was Baron Pulpuchu’s lips that turned up, and Rebillian’s face that crumpled.
“But no matter how difficult the situation, shouldn’t one strive to be strong in such times? Very well, as you say, if you win, I shall grant you permission to hold your wedding at Plitun Castle.”
However, Behardt’s subsequent permission reversed the situation.
“But I couldn’t possibly impose such a discourtesy upon you, Count Behardt…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Do you think I am unaware of the contributions of the Pulpuchu and Pener families? However, you must show me a good match.”
Once Count Behardt had smilingly given his permission, there was no room for argument. Baron Pulpuchu returned to his seat and pressed his temples.
He had originally promised the marriage with the Pener family, but the situation had changed now.
With an uneasy feeling and nothing more to gain, he was considering breaking off the engagement, making the eldest son’s proposal fatal.
If the Pener family’s knight really did win and secured the promise of a wedding from Count Behardt, it would no longer be just a problem with the Pener family.
“…Is there any chance Sir Adela will win?”
Pulpuchu asked Adolf, who was behind him.
“I cannot be certain, but it is highly likely that Sir Ben will win.”
Adolf’s subsequent reply.
Pulpuchu had expected as much. The performances Adela and Ben had shown in their matches were polar opposites.
Even to a layman like Pulpuchu, Ben had overpowered his opponents with elegant swordsmanship, securing stylish victories.
He even offered a hand to his opponents afterward.
It was the very model of a knightly duel.
Adela, on the other hand…
‘*Ahem*…’
When Adela had rolled around in the mud, Pulpuchu’s face had grown so hot he had to cover it.
The eldest sons had desperately tried to hold back their laughter, and Count Behardt had laughed openly.
She had won, of course, but he questioned whether it was necessary to go to such lengths to win in a friendly tournament hosted by the Count.
But now, the situation had changed.
Adela had to win, no matter what it took.
Pulpuchu considered what action to take if Adela lost and looked down below.
There, Ben and Adela were preparing for their match.
‘Still, since he’s there…’
For some reason, Aron was acting as Adela’s squire.
“Hup-!”
‘…Is he really a squire?’
Pulpuchu forcefully suppressed the question that popped into his mind.
Just the fact that Aron was with Adela put his mind at ease somewhat.
Just then, a small cheer erupted.
‘Vivian? Why is that child over there.’
Vivian had approached where Ben and Adela were.
Gasps of admiration burst forth from all around at the sight of Vivian, bathed in the shining sunlight.
Pulpuchu turned his gaze to check on Rebillian.
The emotion in Rebillian’s eyes was not that of a man looking at his beloved.
Of course, it was difficult to distinguish between love and possessiveness, but that look was less possessiveness and more…
‘Like looking at a delicious meal.’
Pulpuchu closed his eyes tightly.
***
‘…This is a headache.’
Ben muttered, chewing on his lip.
Vivian had come to see him before the match.
Vivian’s bright declaration that she had come to greet him weighed more heavily than any other request.
On top of that, there was Aron, insisting he was Adela’s squire.
Ben felt that something was deeply entangled in this match.
‘I will simply do my best.’
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
A knight’s duty was to do their best once they held a sword.
‘…But why is Sir Adela like that?’
Ben was startled as he looked at Adela standing opposite him.
Her hair was disheveled, unlike usual, and her eyes were bloodshot.
Her body twitched as if ready to pounce at any moment.
She looked less like a knight and more like a wild beast had been put in her place.
Meeting Adela’s gaze, which seemed to view this as a life-or-death battle, Ben discreetly averted his eyes.
Just then.
*Gurgle-.*
‘Why is my stomach doing this.’
Ben’s stomach churned, and he scrunched up his face.
His stomach was not in good shape.
Thunder rumbled inside him, and the world spun.
‘This… this can’t be…’
He desperately wanted to run to the latrine, but he was already in the arena.
Leaving now was the same as forfeiting.
He couldn’t forfeit a match just because he had to take a dump.
*Hoo…*
Ben took a deep breath and readjusted his grip on his sword.
The world was spinning, but he bit his lip and forced himself to focus.
‘Why now, of all the important moments…’
Ben forcefully suppressed the rising complaint.
Without complaining, he just readjusted his grip and focused.
He didn’t even hear the signal to start.
Ben realized the match had begun when he saw Adela charging toward him.
*Clang-!*
A single exchange.
Unable to fully concentrate, Ben’s reaction was a bit slow.
‘…Still, I can manage.’
Fortunately, Adela’s condition didn’t seem to be at its best either.
The exchanges continued.
Ben tensed his abdominal muscles, somehow holding onto his focus.
If he lost focus for even a moment, it would be dangerous in more ways than one.
But as the swordplay continued, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
‘Was Adela this good?’
He couldn't fully focus on his swordsmanship because of the stomachache, but even considering that, Adela’s reactions were unexpectedly smooth.
No, Adela’s reactions were more than smooth; they were outstanding.
It was as if she knew him well.
Because of this, the exchange flowed as if it were choreographed, elegant and fluid.
*Clang! Clang!*
Swords repeatedly clashed and separated.
Ben was the first to take a step back.
Adela immediately closed the distance.
To Ben, Adela looked like a beast aiming for his neck.
‘Yes, this isn’t Adela’s sword, but…’
Ben was startled and raised his sword to block.
*Clang!*
It was too unrefined to compare, but it was definitely Aron’s style.
‘This is interesting…’
*GURRRRGLE-!*
‘…or not.’
The longer the fight went on, the lower Ben’s chances of winning would become.
He had to end the match as quickly as possible.
Ben clenched his teeth, lowered his stance, dropped his shoulder, and twisted his waist.
In response, Adela pushed off the ground, closing the distance.
Her reaction was similar to one Aron had shown.
‘…She knows, as I thought.’
It seemed Aron, as her squire, had taught her swordsmanship.
‘To learn the sword from Aron… I’m envious.’
To be a knight, yet willingly receive teaching from someone who isn’t a knight…
Ben started to see Adela in a slightly different light.
Finishing his brief thought, Ben stepped forward with his right foot instead of his left.
If she had learned from Aron, she would know that he usually leads with his left foot.
Seeing Aron’s image superimposed over Adela, Ben’s lips curled into a smile.
The thrust that followed—.
Unlike Aron, Adela’s reaction was somewhat slow.
Of course, even that level of reaction was incredible.
‘…It’s just that Aron is a monster.’
Just then.
*GURRRRGLE-!*
The violent movement had made his stomachache excruciating.
A split second.
His sword slowed ever so slightly.
At that moment, Adela’s sword changed its path.
‘…The wrist?’
Adela twisted her wrist, pulling her sword back.
It was a familiar swordsmanship.
Not Aron’s.
‘Sir Saint’s swordsmanship.’
As Ben let out a gasp of shocked admiration.
*CLAAANG-!*
Adela’s sword and Ben’s sword collided.
The thrust, its direction altered mid-way, only grazed Adela’s shoulder guard.
Adela’s sword was now aimed at Ben’s neck.
‘…I’ve lost.’
If not for the stomachache, he might have been able to land the thrust before Adela could react.
Also, if his sword had been properly powered, it would not have lost its target even after clashing with Adela’s.
But in any case, it was Ben’s defeat.
Ben lowered his sword.
“Waaaaaaah-!!”
A fervent cheer erupted at the unexpected result.
Ben turned his head to check on Aron.
Aron had his arm around his own squire’s shoulder, casually rummaging through his pockets.
‘…He knew I would switch to my right foot, too.’
Ben’s body trembled slightly, feeling as though the emotionless eyes visible through the crude leather helmet were piercing right through him.
In the end, the unsettling feeling of having been played in the palm of his hand washed over him.
“Congratulations, Sir Adela.”
Ben shook off his thoughts and approached Adela.
Adela’s head was bowed low, her body trembling.
It was clear she must have undergone some grueling training to improve her skills in such a short time.
Ben extended his hand with pure respect, but.
“Huhu—it was a good match.”
Like the usual Adela… no, with her chin held even higher, Adela took his hand and nodded.
At her strangely condescending attitude, Ben’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.
‘…If it weren’t for the stomachache, I would have won.’
He felt a sense of resentment but forced himself to accept defeat.
“Thank you, everyone! Thank you!”
As Adela circled the arena, waving her hands enthusiastically, Ben’s stomachache worsened, and he quickly retreated.
“Sir Ben! What is the meaning of this! Did you not say you would do your best! How could you lose to a female knight like that…!”
Rebillian blocked Ben’s path, who was running while barely holding onto his consciousness due to the severe stomach pain, and screamed at the top of his lungs.
“I… did my best.”
How could he have done any better than this?
Ben’s conscience was clear.
“You did your best, and you lost to Adela, who ‘rolls in the mud’? Ha! The title ‘Sword of Pener’ is wasted on you! What a waste!”
The thread of his sanity was about to snap.
Ben tried to pass him, but Rebillian roughly grabbed his arm.
“I clearly asked you for one thing, victory! How could you fail at something so simple…”
In that moment, without realizing it, Ben swung his fist.
Rebillian, tongue lolling out, slumped against the wall and collapsed.
‘Did I just punch…?’
Ben glanced at the fallen Rebillian and his own fist, then quickly walked away.
First, he had to take care of the most urgent business.
***
“This severs the connection to mana.”
Swaroitz swirled the transparent liquid inside the glass tube.
“Ah… yes… Not only mana, but it also prevents one from raising aura… temporarily…”
It was the first he had heard of an item that could sever the connection to mana, but the fact that it also prevented one from raising aura grated on his nerves.
‘Mana and aura should be separate, so how can it affect both at the same time…’
It didn’t make sense unless there was a connection between the two. Of course, he didn’t have time to research it right now.
“How has an item like this not been known?”
“Ah… it is a recently developed potion from the Gray Magic Tower…”
At the frustratingly muffled voice, Swaroitz let out a low groan before nodding.
He had already tested and confirmed its effects.
He didn’t know why the Gray Magic Tower was helping him like this, but they were unpredictable to begin with.
It was best to use them when their directions aligned with his own.
‘…For the stupid noble lady’s birthday, they said they would make a stew that all the residents could eat.’
Swaroitz swirled the bottle and smiled brightly.
Behind Swaroitz, a goblin with a rope around its neck was running around, squeaking, before it suddenly collapsed.