138
My Villains Chapter 138
36. Phoenix of Zahakahr (2)
At a mountain lodge located on the western mountain path of Longville.
I took a bath with the baby pig Lump and stopped by the tavern.
"On the narrow path!"
"There are dwarves hiding-"
Ah, it's so noisy.
The customers filling the tavern were all drunk and singing loudly. Banging on the tables was a bonus.
I covered my ears and grabbed a passing middle-aged woman.
"I'll eat in my room, so put about 5 servings of food on a tray. No, make it 6."
"What would you like, sir?"
"Do you have anything light to eat? Something fresh, without meat."
"How about bread porridge?"
Because the tavern was so noisy, the young middle-aged woman shouted in my ear. I can hear everything even without that.
"We use milk and ground beans! We'll also add plenty of wild vegetables picked this morning!"
"Okay, one serving of that. Fill the other 5 servings with meat and greasy stuff. Oh, and add lots of fruit too."
"What would you like to drink?"
"Milk and wine!"
When I handed her four silver coins, the middle-aged woman's face brightened and she quickly ran to the kitchen.
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.
"Sir Phoenix! Over here!"
I turned around to see Leader Amias waving his hand. I sighed and approached their table.
"How long have you been here?"
"Um, about two hours."
"Ugh, alcoholic bastards."
After emerging from the rift four days ago, Amias's gang whispered among themselves and changed their attitude towards me. They started treating me politely, like a master.
I tried to dissuade them a few times, but they all insisted it was more comfortable this way, so I decided to give up.
"At the foot of that mountain!"
The customers' lead was followed by a drunk young man.
"The ladies are walking by the river-"
The lanky young man standing on a chair was none other than Boonie.
...Why is that guy doing that again? He can't even sing.
Looking around the table, the rest of Amias's gang was also drinking merrily and singing along. Utequais with his large build and exposed upper body was among them.
"On the dark mountain pass!"
"The rain shelters the people-"
The tavern at the lodge was even more bustling than last time. It wasn't just my imagination.
Thanks to the hunting festival held in Longville, the monsters in this area had been completely wiped out. It was natural that more travelers were stopping by the lodge recently.
"When a sudden shower falls!"
"The dwarves also come down-"
When Boonie pretended to undo his belt, laughter erupted here and there and the singing scattered.
"When the clear sun shines!"
"The ladies lift their skirts-"
"When this song ends!"
Boonie pointed at the bald Steedman sitting at the table and finished the song.
"You'll really know who your father is-"
"You bastard!"
Steedman, his face bright red, pulled Boonie down and hit the back of his head.
"Ow, that hurts!"
"Did you think it wouldn't hurt, you idiot?"
Boonie, hit on the back of the head again, screamed and rolled on the floor. The surrounding men clapped and burst into laughter.
Utequais, who was chuckling along, emptied his large mug and held up the empty cup high.
"One more barrel-!"
"Yes sir!"
The young middle-aged woman went into the storage room behind the bar and came out rolling a barrel of alcohol. Leader Amias and Freckled Mira quickly ran over and pushed the woman aside.
"We'll take it from here, go get more side dishes."
"Will salted pork do?"
"Yeah."
Mira, who lifted the barrel with a jerk, added,
"Roast a chicken too. With onions."
"Yes sir!"
I was wiping Lump's not-quite-dry fur with a towel when I frowned and shouted,
"The side dishes can wait, just bring mine quickly!"
"Yes, understood, sir! Coming right up!"
As the barrel was placed on the large round table, Utequais grabbed the brass spigot. Then he stuck it into the thick oak barrel with just his thumb.
There were exclamations of admiration here and there at the simple feat of strength, and Utequais filled his cup while showing off his forearm muscles.
"...You're really excited. How many barrels is this?"
"The third one."
A honey scent with a strong alcohol aroma stung my nose. It was mead said to be made in the north.
"It's not even beer, you drank that much mead?"
"Beer no taste good. Mead taste good, drink much!"
"...Sigh, you crazy bastard."
Seeing his language skills regress, it seems the alcohol is starting to take effect. I wrapped Lump in a towel and lifted his front paws to point at Utequais.
"Mr. Alcoholic, stop drinking so much! You'll die at this rate!"
When I spoke imitating a pig, Utequais burst out laughing.
"I was wondering why the side dishes weren't coming out, but here it is!"
"Don't touch me! If you touch my body, I'll poop in your mouth!"
"Hahaha!"
Utequais's arm, which was pounding the table in amusement, was emitting a faint light. It was because he had enhanced his ‘Blunt Weapon Armament Tattoo’ as he leveled up this time.
I recalled Utequais's character sheet:
Name: Hatanka Utequais
Level: 22
Class: Berserker
Stats: Remaining bonus - 1
Strength - 31(64)
Agility - 14(18)
Health - 24(42)
Magic - 10(10)
Skills:
Blunt Weapon Armament Tattoo 6pt, Veil's Protection Tattoo 5pt, Night Sky's Blessing Tattoo 3pt, Iron Seal 3pt, Rhino Strike 3pt, Berserk 2pt
After some consideration, I distributed all of Utequais's level-up bonuses.
From what I've observed over the past few months, Utequais was a trustworthy guy.
If he has any complaints, he expresses them right away instead of keeping them inside, and he values honor. He's the type to curse to your face and throw a punch rather than stab you in the back.
"Hehe, look at this belly fat. It's fattened up nicely."
"Your beer belly is even rounder! Aish, I said don't touch!"
As I was swinging Lump's front paws and bickering with Utequais, a voice came from behind.
"Haha, it's a pig that speaks human language very well."
"The fur looks extremely soft. May I touch it, sir?"
It was Druid Zhanabas and Swordsman Simos. Utequais, spotting the two, offered them seats with a bright face.
"Tasard diridi! Hla'ap!"
"Arkoun, hatanka."
While Zhanabas was receiving a cup from Utequais, I answered Simos,
"I'm a bit precious, so ugly people can't touch me!"
"Then I can touch you?"
"Are you crazy, sis?"
"Hmm." Simos, wearing an eye patch, shook her head as she received a cup, and Zhanabas asked in an amused voice,
"Sis? You should say ‘aunty'."
"Aunty?"
"Yes, you're female, aren't you?"
"...Is this one female?"
When I asked with a dumb expression, Zhanabas nodded.
"You didn't know, sir?"
"I thought it was male since it has tusks..."
"Females have tusks too, though relatively smaller."
Whoa, this is quite shocking.
Should I change the name? To something prettier like 'Mungji' or 'Dwae Soon-i'?
"And here, if you look at the genitals."
Kwaek, kwaeaek!
As unfamiliar fingers approached, Lump twisted its body and squealed loudly.
"The kid is embarrassed."
"Animals don't feel embarrassment, Sir."
Zhanabas, who answered like that, made a strange sound that was hard to describe in words. But Lump just curled up and burrowed into my belly without any reaction. I gently stroked Lump while imitating a pig's voice.
"Aish, I said I don't like it, why do you keep being clingy?"
"...Hmm, this shouldn't be happening."
As Zhanabas frowned, Simos, who had wet his lips, mocked him.
"What kind of druid knows less about animal hearts than a knight?"
"Ugh. It must be because it's still a baby."
He kept trying to communicate, but Lump showed no reaction. In the end, Zhanabas closed his mouth with a gloomy face.
I chuckled and asked him,
"So, how did your errand go?"
"Ah, about that."
Zhanabas's thin face darkened even more.
"The situation seems quite serious."
"Of course it would be." A few days ago, we spied on the lord's army with the help of birds. That's how we caught the moment when the battle broke out, and we were able to climb Graduel Mountain in that gap.
"You must have noticed that the lord was defeated, right?"
"It's more than that, sir."
Zhanabas leaned his upper body towards me and lowered his voice.
"The lord, Baron Malory, has disappeared."
"Disappeared?"
"After the army was annihilated, he didn't return to Longville. He must have been caught by the Anupads."
Zhanabas lifted his cup to wet his throat.
"I hear less than 150 people escaped back to Longville. Most of them are mercenaries."
"What about the Anupads?"
"There are still hundreds of them, I hear. They're lurking around, as if surrounding Longville..."
I sighed and scratched my eyebrow.
"It would be reckless to try crossing the mountain pass then."
"Yes. It seems... We'll have to watch the situation for a while."
Although Utequais and I had become quite strong, it was still too much to face an army. The named monsters, including the Anupad queen, were also burdensome, and it was dangerous to face such large numbers at once.
...If only Ellen was okay, numbers wouldn't be a problem. We could just sweep them all away with fireballs.
I suddenly looked around the tavern. Most were drunk and rowdy, but some looked gloomy. They must be the ones who know about Longville's situation...
As I was thinking this, a young middle-aged woman approached, struggling with a tray full of food. I gave a quick greeting to my companions and left the tavern.
After bringing Lump and the food to the room, I waited about 5 minutes in front of the bathroom. A middle-aged female employee came out of the bathroom.
"Is it done?"
"Yes, sir. You can go in now."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Oh my, it's nothing..."
After giving the lady a few coins, I entered the bathroom to find Ellen sitting on a wooden chair, turning to look at me.
"You came quickly? Were you waiting?"
"Uh..."
Ellen, wearing only a shirt and cotton pants, was looking up at me while drying her hair with a towel.
"Um,"
Due to the thin shirt and tight pants, the slender curves of the kid were clearly visible. The wet blonde hair, white face, and clear eyes kept pounding my chest...
"...Um, I bought dinner from the tavern. Let's go quickly, are you hungry?"
"Mm."
I picked up Ellen as naturally as possible. When I supported under the knees with my arm, the kid wrapped both arms around my neck in a familiar motion.
A chill ran down my spine as fingertips brushed my nape. My vision blurred at the scent of lime and skin touching my nose. The plump pink lips moved slightly.
"..."
"...Huh? What did you say?"
"I asked what you bought. For dinner."
"Ah. Well, porridge and fruit, and various things."
"What kind of porridge?"
"Um, bread porridge. They said they boiled it with milk and ground beans."
"Sounds delicious. Let's eat quickly."
We talked about various things while eating, but I don't remember well what I said.
"...Are you listening?"
"Huh?"
"I asked if you're listening."
Ellen was pouting with furrowed brows. I quickly wet my lips and answered.
"Oh, I was just lost in thought for a moment. What did you say?"
"...I said I think I'll need to recuperate for a while longer."
"Ah, magic addiction?"
"Mm."
Due to what happened in the rift, Ellen was suffering from severe magic addiction. I was so surprised when she woke up after a day and said she couldn't see.
Still, thanks to resting well for four days, she was in a somewhat improved state now.
"Isn't this recovering quickly? Now you're just sleeping and eating a bit more. Your eyes are fine too."
"It's not those minor things that are the problem, I can't use magic."
"So what?"
When I shrugged my shoulders, Ellen's face twisted a little.
"'So what'? A mage can't use magic, and you say 'so what'?"
"Don't you remember what you said? That being a mage doesn't simply mean someone who uses magic."
"You idiot, that's... Haa."
As Ellen let out a deep sigh, I smiled and comforted the kid.
"Don't worry too much. You'll be fine soon."
"...You don't understand at all."
"Understand what?"
Ellen's face darkened as she pulled her feet up onto the chair. Then, hugging her knees, she muttered softly.
"...It's terrible."
"Are you scared?"
"It's not that. I—"
Teary eyes glanced at me.
"You don't understand at all."
I took a small deep breath and approached Ellen. Then, placing my hand on the kid's knee, I whispered.
"You'll get better soon."
"I don't think I can bear it."
"No, you can."
Ellen's lips trembled finely.
"...You're right. I'm scared."
"Ellen. You'll get better soon. There's no need to be scared."
"It's not because of the magic. I..."
Trailing off, Ellen lowered her head. I quietly patted the kid.
"It's okay, Ellen. I'm here beside you."
A moment of silence passed.
The kid, who had buried her face in her knees, suddenly spoke.
"You."
"Hm?"
"Who are you?"
"...What are you saying?"
Ellen slowly raised her head.
"I don't know you."
"Ellen. What are you suddenly saying? You don't know me?"
"I don't know where you're from, how you grew up, what beliefs you have."
"...That's."
"You sometimes act like a prophet and foresee the future. Your legs and arms get cut off but heal perfectly, and while you're about the same age as me, you talk like an adult."
"I have so many questions about you, but you don't tell me anything. You just try to avoid the situation by changing the subject somehow."
The kid was crying without any expression. I should say something quickly, but my lips wouldn't part as my heart was breaking at Ellen's tears.
"I realized this time."
Ellen took a deep breath.
"My magic, my life, my body, my heart. I can't help but give you everything if you want it. That's who I am now."
"...Ellen."
"I know you care for me. I know you've risked your life for me several times. But."
The pink lips closed, wet with tears. The expressionless face crumbled.
"I don't know anything about you."
"Ellen."
"That's what scares me. The most."
Following Ellen, I too quietly crumbled.